About DCAM

The EDM Council’s Data Management Capability Assessment Model (DCAM^®) is the globally recognized standard for data management best practices, designed to increase the value of an organization’s data assets and drive better business outcomes. DCAM provides a foundational roadmap to initiate, build, measure, and sustain a data management program and culture, enabling organizations to elevate the strategic impact of their data practices and foster greater trust and confidence in their data.

The DCAM framework is structured around 8 key components with 34 capabilities and 101 sub-capabilities. It comprehensively addresses the unique requirements of data management, including:

• Data meaning and architecture: taxonomy development, identification management, glossary creation
• Data quality: business rules, data dimensions, control processes, and supply chain management
• Organizational adaptability: supporting continuous evolution amid shifting priorities

• Modern data challenges and digital transformation: enhanced support for AI, cloud, complex ecosystems, governance, data ethics, privacy, and security.

The DCAM Framework Upgrade v3 Course

The DCAM v3 Upgrade Course is specifically designed for EDM Council members who completed the DCAM v2.2 course. This instructor-led, live, and interactive virtual course is delivered in a single 4-hour session and provides a comprehensive overview of the enhancements and additions introduced in DCAM Framework v3.

The course builds on the v2.2 foundation, focusing on the key updates and structural improvements in v3, including:

• A new Business Data Knowledge component
• Consolidation of the Architecture components
• An expanded Data Control Environment, now including Data Management Operations
• Enhanced focus on data literacy (“data for all”), data culture, and data risk control
• New capabilities in data education, communication, change enablement, business glossary management, and metadata management
  

Important:

• Individuals of an EDM Council member firm that are DCAM v2.2 Certified are eligible to participate in this course.  DCAM v2.2 Certified means that you have completed the DCAM v2.2 Framework course and successfully completed the certification exam.
• Previous DCAM students who have not completed the certification exam must complete the full (2-day) DCAM v3 course and pass the v3 exam to update their certification.

DCAM Framework: Member Exclusive

The DCAM Framework, associated resources and documents, and DCAM training are exclusively available to EDM Council members, as outlined in the benefits of Membership – EDM Council.

Documentation and online access to DCAM and related resources will be provided to all students through the EDM Council Knowledge Portal.

DCAM Upgrade Exam & Certification

Completion of this training and passing the exam provides participants with DCAM v3 Certification, issued as a digital badge. This certification reflects advanced knowledge of DCAM and its practical application in data management programs.

Training & Exam Rates: EDM Council Members Only

• No charge – for students who took the v2.2 course and completed the exam in 2025
  (A coupon code will have been sent to you in early July)
• US$950 – for students who took the v2.2 course and completed the exam prior to 2025

Additional Options

• A FULL DCAM v3 Course is available for EDM Council members who previously completed the DCAM v2 course but never completed the certification exam.
• Discounts may be available for multiple student bookings across different courses. Please contact  membersupport@edmcouncil.org for assistance
• Dedicated group courses for individual firms are also available upon request