Interview with Michael Hahne, CDMP trainer at Connected Data Academy (English)

CDMP certification conquers the German-speaking world

In the Netherlands, the CDMP certification is already well-established for data management professionals. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the field is still in the early stages of promising development. A development that Michael Hahne is further accelerating. In collaboration with Connected Data Academy, he will be providing the full CDMP training program in the DACH region.

Consulting and knowledge sharing: a conscious choice

Hahne Consulting has been a household name in the German data modeling world for years. Michael Hahne founded his company in 2009 but has been active as a consultant and trainer since 1997. “I asked myself: do I continue to apply my expertise to specific projects, or do I share and expand my knowledge more broadly?” This question led to an inspiring conversation with Antoine Stelma of Connected Data Academy. Antoine and Erik Fransen combine consultancy with a thriving training company. That struck a chord with me. I had already registered Hahne Academy ten years ago, but never really used it. Now I felt: it’s time to bring Hahne Academy to life, as a powerful addition to my consultancy practice.

DAMA DMBoK as a foundation, CDMP as an accelerator

Michael deliberately chose the DAMA DMBoK framework as the basis for his training courses. “It’s still relatively unknown in Germany, but interest is growing rapidly. The wave of digitalization is causing a significant catch-up, and the DAMA philosophy aligns perfectly with that.” To refine his approach, he took CDMP training courses at Connected Data Academy. “I already knew the theory, but I wanted to see how they bring it to life. A book isn’t a training course—you need didactics, context, and flexibility. It’s all about participants being able to apply the theory in their own practice. Connected Data Academy does that exceptionally well.”

Partnership with impact

What began as a learning experience has grown into a powerful partnership. Hahne Consulting now offers the full CDMP program in the DACH region—in both German and English—using the high-quality materials of Connected Data Academy. A win-win: Hahne Consulting focuses on guidance and training, while Connected Data Academy expands its reach.

AI requires a solid foundation

Michael: “We’re joining at the right time. Digitalization is accelerating, and tools like Gemini and ChatGPT are being widely deployed. But without a solid data foundation, it remains at the surface level. Garbage in is still garbage out. For Agentic AI in particular, trustworthy data, strong governance, and seamless integration are absolutely vital – only then autonomous systems can act responsibly and deliver real business value. So I advise companies to first establish their data architecture, data quality, and governance. The need for reliable, predictive models is high. Hahne Academy shows how to establish a solid foundation.”

Consulting as a driving force for training

Hahne Consulting is also transforming. Michael consciously chooses assignments that strengthen his training activities. “I help organizations sustainably scale data management, with the right structure and teams. My consulting work feeds my training: it keeps me sharp, up-to-date, and practice-oriented. By strategically combining both pillars, a powerful interaction is created. Just like with Connected Data Group and Connected Data Academy.”

Unique training offerings in Hamburg and Munich

The first CDMP Fundamentals training courses will begin in November: in Hamburg in German and in Munich in English, tailored to the international nature of the business community there. Michael is looking forward to it: “The level of these training courses is unprecedented for this region. We offer something that didn’t exist here before: a powerful, certified program that truly helps professionals. I can’t wait to see what it does.”

With the launch of the CDMP program in the DACH region, Hahne Academy offers not just a training course, but an internationally recognized learning path that helps professionals deepen and capitalize on their expertise. “As a consultant, I know how important certification is,” says Michael. Training is valuable, but without proof of competence, it remains abstract. A CDMP certificate demonstrates that you’ve not only acquired knowledge but also can apply it.

Do you want to be at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field? Now’s the time to get started. Take the step toward international recognition, strengthen your data management expertise, and give your career a powerful boost—with CDMP and Hahne Academy at your side.