The document introduces DAMA SA and provides information about master data management (MDM). It defines MDM as a method to link critical enterprise data to a single master file for common reference across systems. MDM streamlines data sharing and facilitates computing across platforms. Reasons for implementing MDM include inconsistent data, improving data quality, and integrating customers, products, and other shared data. Common reasons for MDM projects failing include taking on too much too soon, not understanding the basic MDM concepts, and not properly analyzing or testing the data.