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While much has been written about attribution in the context of individual asset classes, the asset owner confronts a much more complex scenario. In the interest of maximizing return/risk payoff (often subject to external mandates, liability streams, and risk constraints), asset owners frequently diversify their total fund amongst multiple asset classes: equity, fixed income, hedged
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Data-Centric KPIs Enable Effective Management of Investment Performance Operations
Consider the irony… Performance departments exert their time and energy to calculate performance results that inform consumers of the impacts of their decisions on investments. Though Performance executes complex calculations and solves firm-wide data challenges for consumers’ benefit, oftentimes they forget to measure the most important performance of all… their own. This fourth installment of the Performance is Data Series explores exactly how Investment Performance teams can embark on a key performance indicator (KPI) centered approach to measure more than just the performance of others and introspectively assess operations.
by Clay Corcimiglia
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Solving for Scale: Thought Leadership Webinar
Ready to unlock the secrets behind achieving remarkable growth while maintaining operational excellence? Join four industry experts for a deep dive into the world of investment operations to find out how asset management firms are navigating the delicate balance between expansion and profitability.
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Implementation Handbook: Capturing PoC Insights for Future Implementation
In the current technology landscape, where successful digital transformation leads to more efficient operations, the choice of vendor can often be the defining factor between success and failure. “Implementation Handbook: Capturing PoC Insights for Future Implementation” emphasizes the importance of thoroughly documenting each facet of a vendor Proof of Concept (PoC) facet to assist with analyzing findings and provide a comprehensive and organization-specific guide for implementation. This guide will increase a firm’s odds of successful implementation.
by Nicol O’Connor
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Don’t Be Afraid of the Mesh
You cannot avoid hearing the term, but what is implied by the term ‘data mesh’? It is the latest step in architecture, governance, and data management evolution. We have lived (or view the history) through the databases to data warehouses, data virtualization, and then to data lakes and now lake-houses. Companies in our industry acknowledge the shortcomings of these frameworks, including accrued technical debt, ongoing and rising costs, and sprawling data lakes, which have not delivered the promised land to analysts and operational business users.
by Andrew Jacob, CFA
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Natural Allies: Investment Performance and the Data Office
This paper proposes that Investment Performance was (and in many cases, is) the original Data Office where governance issues come to a head. If this logic is true, starting a Data Governance effort with Investment Performance takes advantage of a natural ally already positioned to solve those very problems. This natural alliance may be the most efficient mechanism to understand the strengths and weaknesses of an enterprise’s existing data strategy and potentially advance efforts to resolve them rapidly. Starting with that premise, this paper looks at how a new or revamped data governance program would benefit from either starting at the end of the investment value chain – Investment Performance – or by aligning the Data Office and Investment Performance under the Chief Data Officer (CDO). As many Meradia projects intersect Data and Investment Performance, this paper highlights the synergies and overlap between these functions.
by Laurie Hesketh, CIPM, PMP
Andrew Jacob, CFA
Operational Transformations: A Data-Driven Approach
Firms are constantly in flux. Day-to-day challenges and the pressure to meet existing SLAs often take center stage in business operations. Expansion of business models, increased service alternatives, and new technology solutions are pushing firms to transform their existing paradigm. The concept of an optimal model seems to allure many. Pure ‘strategy-led’ transformations typically run into years and most benefits manifest at the long end of the spectrum. A data-driven approach mitigates many risks that extend or abandon transformations.
by Jose Michaelraj, CIPM, CAIA
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From Complexity to Efficiency – Modernizing Data Pipelines
In the fast-paced world of investment asset management, accurate and timely data is crucial for informed decision-making. Data pipelines serve as metaphorical vehicles that facilitate the movement of data from its source to delivery points. Traditionally, investment asset management firms have relied on multiple pipelines for different data sources, resulting in complex and cumbersome processes. This paper explores the concept of modern data pipelines in investment asset management, their advantages over traditional pipelines, and best practices for their implementation.
by Andrew Jacob, CFA
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Solving for Scale: Transforming Investment Operations to Meet Rapid Growth
Meradia’s brand new research paper, “Solving for Scale: Transforming Investment Operations to Meet Rapid Growth,” is now available!
Leveraging insights from a national survey of asset managers about the impact of growth on their firms’ operations, the whitepaper explores:
• How today’s asset management firms are balancing growth and profitability
• Why most traditional avenues for business expansion result in sub-optimal operations
• How achieving efficiency at scale becomes possible through a proven operational framework
by Jonathan Boersma, CFA
Jose Michaelraj, CIPM, CAIA
Proactive Project Management: 3 Steps to Preventing Early Setbacks
Entering a large-scale transformation project can be a daunting task. But does it need to be? What separates a successful project from one that is fraught with delays and cost overruns? While the execution of any large-scale implementation project is critical, equally so is the planning phase. It is here, during planning, before the vendor even lands in your office, that the foundation of a successful project is formed. Consider the following three principles as keys to your success.
by Christopher Dyer, Manager
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