Data management in large projects
Getting data management right on large projects means establishing a single point of truth for your data structures - and asking not 'is this the correct version?' but 'is this the appropriate version?'
Your trusted framework
for data migration starts with the business, not the technology
On time. On budget. Every time.
The Four Principles of PDM
Every successful data migration rests on these foundations.
Business First
Data migration decisions are driven by business outcomes, not technical convenience. The business owns the data - and the migration.
Engage the Experts
The people who know the data best must be involved from day one. Subject matter experts are not optional - they are essential.
Fit-for-Purpose Quality
Data quality is defined by what the target system needs, not abstract perfection. Migration is not a data cleansing project.
Measure Everything
Progress, quality, and completeness are always quantified, never assumed. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.
A proven methodology for every data migration
Practical Data Migration (PDM) is a structured, business-first approach to planning and executing data migration projects - from initial strategy through to post-migration validation.
Developed by Johny Morris and published by the British Computer Society, PDM has helped organisations across industries deliver migrations on time, on budget, and with confidence.
Explore the Methodology →
"You'll spend more time on a data migration working with your business partners and colleagues than you will with the actual technology."
Johny Morris, Author — Practical Data Migration Watch the presentation →
Read the Book
Practical Data Migration by Johny Morris (BCS) is the definitive guide to the PDM methodology.
About the BookTake the Course
Online training based on the book - work through the full PDM process using the DHGS case study.
View TrainingJoin the Community
Connect with data migration practitioners, read expert articles, and access tools and templates.
CommunityFrom the Blog
Practical insights on data migration from the field.
Building data ownership
Data ownership is a metaphor, not a legal statement. Getting it right on a migration project means engaging business stakeholders as partners from day one - at both operational and senior levels.
From PDMv1 to PDMv3: how the methodology evolved - and what stayed the same
Three editions over eighteen years. The tools and technology have changed dramatically. The core principles have not moved an inch.