There is relevance in applying master data governance best practices to MRO material masters. The concepts are necessary, but not sufficient. Having quality MRO material masters requires incorporating the purpose or objective of the data object into a system that supports each record achieving its quality requirements.

The purpose of each MRO material master is to represent a specific physical material in digital business system transactions to plan and track the material while leaving a digital usage trail for follow on analysis. A quality record uniquely identifies to humans using the system what real world item the record represents. The material identity is the material record’s translation between the business system and its human users.

If your Master Data Consultancy can not explain how their methods will ensure unique identities, or how the catalogue records can each be tested to assert its quality, you need a different consultant.

For a deeper look at MRO material master quality to improve your business process outcomes, see https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/first-principles-thought-leadership-unique-identities-conrad-greer