Now booking 3 CDE Starter engagements for November.
Start a CDE StarterCritical Data Element (CDE) Identification
We identify, define, and document the critical data elements that drive your business decisions and regulatory reporting. It's the fastest way to start a data governance program, because it focuses effort on the data that matters most.
Overview
Critical Data Element (CDE) Identification is the fastest way to start a data governance program. Instead of trying to govern everything at once, it focuses effort on the small set of data elements that drive your business decisions, regulatory reporting, and operational outcomes.
We work with your business and data owners to identify, define, and document each CDE — assigning owners and stewards, mapping source-to-report lineage, and setting quality rules and thresholds. The result is a clear, documented list of your most important data, with owners, definitions, and quality rules in place, delivered fully remote.
It is built for banks, insurers, healthcare organizations, public agencies, and any business preparing for an audit, a regulatory exam, or a new governance program — and the documented CDE list is ready to load into Microsoft Purview, Collibra, or Informatica.
Sound Familiar?
If these challenges resonate, you are not alone — and you are closer to a solution than you think.
Key Challenges We Solve
The Problem
The organization tries to govern all data equally, so effort is diluted across low-value elements.
Business Impact
Governance programs stall because the scope is too broad to deliver value quickly.
Why It's Urgent
Without prioritization, governance never gains momentum or executive support.
The Problem
No one has formally identified which data elements drive decisions, reporting, and compliance.
Business Impact
Effort and controls are spent on data that does not matter, while critical data stays exposed.
Why It's Urgent
Every report and decision built on undefined data carries hidden risk.
The Problem
Critical data has no documented source-to-report lineage or agreed business definition.
Business Impact
Teams interpret the same metric differently, and tracing issues back to source is impossible.
Why It's Urgent
Without lineage, defects cannot be resolved at the source and keep recurring.
The Problem
A governance tool was purchased, but there is no prioritized CDE inventory to load into it.
Business Impact
The platform sits underused and value never materializes.
Why It's Urgent
License costs continue while the tool delivers nothing.
What We Deliver
We focus on strategy, operating models, risk reduction, accountability, executive visibility, and business outcomes — led by a senior practitioner.
Facilitated workshops with business and data owners to identify the data elements that matter most.
A prioritized inventory of critical data elements tied to key reports, processes, and regulatory requirements.
Business definitions, data owners, and stewards assigned for each CDE.
Documented lineage tracing each CDE from source system to the reports and decisions it drives.
Quality rules and thresholds defined for each CDE so fitness for purpose can be measured.
A documented CDE list ready to load into Microsoft Purview, Collibra, or Informatica.
Outcomes You'll Achieve
Focused Governance
Effort concentrates on the data that matters most, so governance delivers value fast.
Clear Accountability
Every CDE has a named owner and steward with the authority to resolve issues.
Consistent Definitions
Shared business definitions end the debate over what key metrics mean.
Traceable Lineage
Source-to-report lineage makes it possible to trace and resolve defects at the source.
Measurable Quality
Quality rules and thresholds turn "good enough" into an objective, monitored standard.
Platform-Ready
A documented CDE list your governance platform can use on day one.
Founding client offer: 20% off the CDE Sprint and CDE Enterprise for the first 5 clients who sign by December 31, 2026, in exchange for a testimonial or case study.
Packages & Pricing
Start small with one report, or cover a full domain. Every package includes definitions, named owners and stewards, source systems, starter data quality rules, and an executive readout.
$3,500
A fast first win on one report or process.
$12,500
Founding client price: $10,000
One business domain, done right.
$28,500
Founding client price: $22,800
Multiple domains or a regulatory program.
From $3,500/month
Keep your CDEs accurate after delivery.
Guarantee: if any in-scope CDE lacks a signed-off owner at delivery, we keep working at no cost for up to 30 days, provided your team names an owner candidate for each CDE and joins the sign-off sessions. Larger or multi-year programs are quoted separately.
Who Leads the Work
Thornevale Group is led by Lucas Honore, with 10 years of professional data governance experience.
Executive Action
Start with one report. In 10 business days, you'll have your most critical data elements defined, owned, and ready to load into Purview, Collibra, Informatica, or a ready-to-import spreadsheet.
Questions? Lucas@thornevalegroup.com · 940-240-3023