Research and in-depth discussions with CIOs, conducted by IDG Research Services, have pinpointed a set of best practices for architecting and implementing a comprehensive information management strategy, encompassing transactional systems, data warehouses, BI and MDM systems and content management solutions. Under pressure to provide consistent, accurate information to all relevant stakeholders within increasingly complex business networks, CIOs are discovering the value of building an integrated information platform and strategy�combining vital data from disparate sources and using technologies such as BI and MDM to deliver a trusted information foundation. The best practices presented here are stepping-stones to building that strategy.