IDMA was created in order to develop a training program that integrates evolving principals of data management within the context of systems and information needs of the insurance industry. Additionally, IDMA will fulfill the essential role of keeping the insurance industry up to date on the most current thinking of data management professionals in other industries. This is necessary because the principals of data management are not industry specific; rather, they are generic principals that must be adapted to a given industry by the data manager in that industry. IDMA provides the professional forum for this activity.