CDMP Associate Profile
Vanessa Garbutt
Shoreline
As a Managing Consultant at asset and wealth management consulting company Shoreline, Vanessa Garbutt decided to become a Certified Data Management Professional to add to her credibility in data governance and complement her tertiary study in data management.
How did you get into data management – what’s your background?
It was my early employers that spotted I had a talent for data and information – my original degree was in music business! A stint as a business analyst in an IT team inspired me to do a Masters of Business Information Technology, which led to a project documenting the metadata for a core banking system. Ever since then I’ve worked in data governance roles. My role at Shoreline involves meeting the data governance needs of our asset and wealth management clients. I have a passion for data – I love it and it makes sense to me.
Why did you decide to become a CDMP?
I’d heard a fair bit about DAMA through my Graduate Certificate in Data Management and also from a mentor. I was already somewhat familiar with the DMBoK framework and I thought it would be a good way to extend myself and add a professional certification to my work in the data governance field.
How did you approach obtaining the certification?
I don’t like to sit down and study! With family life, I’m extremely busy and time poor. I’d done an exam cram for a different certification, and I thought this would be a good way to approach the Data Management Fundamentals exam. That’s why I took the CDMP Exam Cram.
It’s a great way to learn – having conversations that you absorb and getting quality notes you can refer back to.
What was your experience of the CDMP Exam Cram?
The presenters were very knowledgeable. As experienced data management consultants, they knew what they were talking about and used lots of real-life examples. I also enjoyed the networking, meeting people working in similar fields and understanding how they’re doing things.
It’s a great way to learn – having conversations that you absorb and getting quality notes you can refer back to.
How did you find the Data Management Fundamentals exam?
I did practice exams several times and I was getting marks in the realm of my goal – which is to achieve Practitioner level. Doing this combined with the course was enough to get me through – I didn’t actually do formal study.
What tips would you give someone who’s going to sit the exam?
It’s definitely ideal to do the exam quickly and make sure you don’t have any distractions (like kids!) around you. Set yourself up for the open book nature of the exam and re-review Robinson Ryan’s study notes before taking the exam.
How do you think that the CDMP certification has or will affect your current or future role?
I run data governance projects and direct people on these projects. In terms of building our practice, I have had some requests for certification and it’s good way to prove to clients, particularly in government and superannuation, that you have been certified in this area of knowledge.
