Collibra: democratizing access to data

Deploying data governance addresses three key questions: Where is my data? What does it mean? And, ultimately, is it reliable? Data governance is an essential aspect of the Data 4.0 resources implemented at Safran Aircraft Engines and a cornerstone of the Group’s digital transformation.

Sébastien Aeberli, Chief Data Officer at Safran Aircraft Engines, explains what’s involved: “More and more people in the company need access to more and more information, so reliable data is crucial to making the right decisions. This demands painstaking work to ensure that data is understandable and of good quality. After all, the aim is to share data across all teams so that it can be cross-checked, analyzed and all users can derive maximum value from it.”

This is where Collibra steps in. The new dictionary provides definitions and meaningful descriptions of our business data, including technical characteristics and degree of sensitivity. Currently in its first version, the solution now needs to be enriched with raw data and knowledge. After that comes the long and complicated process of mapping all Group data. However, the dictionary is already proving valuable by accelerating deployment of data governance and facilitating the choice of architectures for the next generation of digital tools, like CRM. By the end of 2022, Collibra will be available across Safran. “Transform everything into data so we can transform everything through data -- that’s what’s at stake!” says Thomas Floure, Collibra project manager at Safran Aircraft Engines. “This involves major new developments, such as creating data roles and new services that ultimately turn data into a corporate and competitive advantage. It’s so much more than simply sharing information.”

Informed by work carried out by Safran Analytics and Safran Aircraft Engines over the last three years, a new corporate entity is being set up with the task of enriching the company and Group data dictionaries.

“We’ve adopted a case by case approach to round out our data assets on the basis of the major transformative projects underway,” explains Aurélie Gouby, corporate Data 4.0 Officer. “They give us insights into the real needs of the business so we can see where we need to leverage value. To unlock the full potential of our data, it’s crucial that we keep enriching the dictionary.”