For the operation and further development of its grid Swissgrid uses network models. Physical equipment is functionally modelled as network elements. Network elements constitute network models. This modelling process relies on network element master data. Today the creation and management of this master data is siloed. Data is stored and managed in decentralised systems. This leads to difficulties when sourcing and managing master data for the network modelling process.

In the first phase, the current data life cycle was examined. Interviews with data consumers and owners were conducted and documented business processes were analysed. The first phase served to understand where the data is managed. Further, a selection of use cases was examined to understand where challenges occur in the current setup, and projects and their impact on data management were explored. In the second phase, it was analysed whether the identified challenges would be addressed by the projects. In the last phase, a master data management strategy and database concept were developed.

The first phase created an overview of the current data collection and golden sources, the challenges faced in operational use cases and projects which impact the future data management. With the analysis of the current state, we were able to present the various processes and systems that are concerned with the management of asset and network element master data. The description of the use cases explains where the current challenges and problems lie in processes that depend on this master data. The analysis of the current data lifecycle revealed that most of the problems can be traced back to the same cause - the management of this data. The comparison with the projects showed that the identified problems are not fully addressed by them. To address this gap, a master data lifecycle management concept was developed proposing a combination of different master data management strategies and a data management system in form of a multi-layer database focused on data collection, validation and distribution.