Information Assets

James Price is the founder and Managing Director of Experience Matters, a firm that helps organisations to do amazing things through making their data, information and knowledge high quality and available as required. James and Experience Matters have provided global thought leadership in Information Asset governance and management practices for over 15 years. James is the lead author of “Information Asset Management”, a book based on ethics approved, peer reviewed research and a quarter of a century of business experience. It explains why it is important to govern and manage an organisation’s data, information and knowledge the way it governs and manages its money. James designed, developed and delivered a lecture series on the topic of Data Privacy, Governance and Quality to postgraduate students of the Business School of the University of South Australia. He is the Chair of the Data Leaders, a worldwide volunteer group of some of the greatest minds in this space. James is a joint leader of multi-national research projects, namely: the “barriers to and the benefits of managing data, information and knowledge as a business asset” that has been described by Gartner, the world’s most influential IT industry advisory firm, as “ground breaking”; developing a holistic model for managing Information Assets; and the “risk, cost, value and benefit associated with Information Assets”. He is internationally recognised as a peer reviewed author of, and a keynote presenter to, business and academic journals and conferences. James is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, an Associate of RIMPA Global, and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, DAMA Australia and the EDM Council.Nina Evans Associate Professor Nina Evans has worked in various Higher Education Institutions as Lecturer, Industry Liaison Manager, Associate Head of School, Head of Department and Vice Dean. She started her career as a Chemical Engineer and registered as a professional engineer (PrEng), while completing a Diploma in Education and an Honours degree in Computer Science. Nina also holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology, an MBA and a PhD. Nina is currently employed as a professorial lead in the STEM academic unit of UniSA. In this role, she focuses online management/mentoring of academic staff, teaching and research. In her teaching and research, she focuses on digital business transformation, i.e. the effect of disruptive technologies on both large and small enterprises. Business transformation is achieved through innovation, effective leadership, understanding the disruptive effect of information technology on businesses, promoting fusion between business and IT professionals, effective management of business processes, recognising and managing data, information and knowledge (“Information Assets”) as a business asset, as well as an understanding of human behaviour in organisations. She is also interested in the unique challenges facing Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – especially in regional areas – and how these businesses can use technology and social networks to overcome challenges. Nina is passionate about developing well-rounded graduates for the Connection Economy, where “who you are” matters as much as “what you do”. Apart from developing important technology skills in their university courses, IT students should also understand the “people and behavioural aspects” of the technology world. She has supervised more than 10 PhD and doctoral students to completion and published more than 100 papers in accredited journals and peer-reviewed academic conferences. She teaches Master’s courses in Knowledge Management, Information Governance, Business Transformation and Innovation, Business Process Modelling, Security Consulting and ICT Leadership. Nina is also a director of ThinkingFusion (Australia) and a trained facilitator of the Thinking Fusion Personal Development and Leadership programmes.

• Acknowledgements. Foreword. Glossary. Preface. Chapter 1: What do organisations do and how do they do it? Chapter 2: What are your Information Assets and why are they important to you? Chapter 3: The barriers to managing Information Assets and a holistic model to help you govern and manage them well. Chapter 4: What is the business impact of how you manage your Information Assets? Chapter 5: How important is executive awareness? Chapter 6: Why is the governance and management of your business so important? Chapter 7: What is the role of leadership and management in encouraging good Information Asset management practices? Chapter 8: What is required to govern and manage your Information Assets well? Chapter 9: What is the contribution of your information technology? Chapter 10: What is the impact of behaviour on the way Information Assets are managed? Chapter 11: Why is the quality of Information Assets so important? Chapter 12: What is required to leverage and exploit your Information Assets? Chapter 13: Why is it so difficult to justify investing in the effective management of your Information Assets? Chapter 14: How does the effective management of your Information Assets support the digital transformation of your organisation? Chapter 15: What you can do. About the authors. Other publications. Index. Bibliography

“Nobody in the world has done more empirical research on the topic of data-as-an-asset than James Price and Nina Evans. So, it’s no surprise that “Information Assets” makes an irrefutable case that data belongs firmly alongside other traditional assets in how it is managed, measured, and monetized. And that businesses and their leaders who fail to do so will be also-rans in their industries and professions.” Doug Laney, author of Infonomics and Data Juice"For many years, I have tried to get different types of organizations to invest in producing holistic and integrated data strategies to guide data management and governance, but there has been little response. Finally, I found the perfect support for this in the “Hard Questions” that James Price and Nina Evans include in this work. Supported by comprehensive research, these questions provide clear and irrefutable arguments to convince senior executives why it is crucial to manage information assets as they manage financial, human, and physical assets. This is a must-read book for board directors and all data leaders." Marilu Lopez, President, SEGDA. Author of Data Strategies for Data Governance “Victor Hugo observed that “nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” And the time has come for the notion that companies and their leaders should manage data as pro-actively and professionally as other assets. Well done Price and Evans.” Tom Redman, author of Data Driven and People and Data“Information Assets of data, information, and knowledge underly EVERYTHING in our world today. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, misinformation, and disinformation, the need to manage, govern, and ensure these assets are of high quality is critical. Information Assets is a business book that clearly outlines the importance of making Information Assets a priority. Every leader should read it and apply. Danette McGilvray, Author of 10 Steps to Data QualityThis new book by James Price and Nina Evans, Information Assets: An Executive Guide to the Untapped Driver of Business Success, is a wake-up call for every executive. For too long, leaders have undervalued the most critical resource at their disposal—data. Price and Evans dismantle that complacency with precision, showing how neglecting data governance and accountability can destroy enterprise value, while disciplined stewardship drives growth, innovation, and a competitive edge. This is not theory; it is a boardroom mandate. Executives who ignore this message do so at their peril. Those who act will future-proof their organizations. Drawing on their deep experience, these two data experts make a compelling case for why leaders must elevate data to the boardroom agenda. This book is not just informative—it is a call to action for every executive who aspires to compete in a data-driven world. Clear, direct, and uncompromising, this book sets the new standard for treating data as the strategic asset it truly is.Theresa Kushner, co-author of Managing Your Business Data and B2B Data-Driven Marketing.