Should organizations address the gap between traditional data management “rigor” and new technology and practices “flexibility” demanded by big data? If so, how?

Overview – Balancing "rigor" with "flexibility" will create the most leverage for your information management programs. Taking advantage of Big Data technology does not mean absolving governance. 

Key findings – Organizations are rushing to embrace the new technologies of Big Data, and often hard fought data management rigor is being set aside in the quest.  There is the potential to keep the cost of "failures" low, so the cost of "experimentation" and barriers to entry are low. Rigor can be injected after business value is established.

Recommendations – Maintain focus on the rigor of effective governance. In fact, re-double your efforts while reaping the benefits of new Big Data technology and processes. There is no absolution for those that forget quality, compliance, security, and privacy. Prioritize a review of your information governance plans and processes to insure that you are maintaining and increasing compliance in the head waters and wake of emerging Big Data programs. Take advantage of the flexibility to experiment, then apply rigor to operationalize once the business value is established.