Strategic Data Programme
Accurate and reliable data is critical to the effective operation of the business water market and delivering good customer service.
The Strategic Data Programme (SDP) aims to find and fix the root causes of poor-quality premises, address, and customer data being entered into CMOS.
MOSL and the working group are working with data services provider IDenteq to review the current market processes, systems, and codes to ensure they are fit for purpose.
The SDP is a follow-on to the Data Assurance Service, which worked with trading parties to raise the quality of existing data in CMOS, and which is transitioning into a core service by March 2026.
The improvement programme, which is included in the MOSL 2025-28 Business Plan, is anticipated to run for approximately two years.
To ensure data quality is maintained in future, the Strategic Data Programme will focus on resolving three key challenges:
- Market processes and codes – are the current processes and codes supporting good quality data to enter the market and central systems?
- Market systems – are CMOS data fields structured in the best way to capture consistent and accurate data?
- Market insight – do the current systems, processes and codes allow for data to be used for wider benefit, including industry segmentation and future demand management?
MOSL's 2025-28 Business Plan sets out the activities that will be delivered in each phase (see below).
Programme approach
In partnership with a data services partner, MOSL will address the root cause of poor data entering the market via five areas of focus, which were identified as key points of friction during the course of the Data Assurance Programme:
- Non-addressable data
The programme will determine an approach to the handling of supply points that don't have a standard postal address (e.g. troughs, standpipes, etc) which can lead to data inaccuracies, ownership and occupancy tracking issues, eligibility status challenges, and potential lost revenue for wholesalers and retailers. - New connections process
The programme will undertake a root and branch review of the process by which new supply points enter the market. Currently, incomplete data enters CMOS because premises are required to register before full address data is available. This has resulted in issues, such as billing challenges during the build phase, eligibility status complications once the build is complete, and difficulties in tracking data quality. - Segmentation
The programme will review segmentation use cases and determine the data needed to support segmentation models. This will help drive water efficiency and leak detection, strengthen water demand forecasting, enable company linkages and groupings, and assist with tendering and switching via enhanced visibility of customer types. - CMOS data fields
The programme will review CMOS premises, address, and customer data fields to determine what can be improved upon, what is missing, and what might no longer be required. This will ensure they are fit for purpose, leading to more complete and accurate data in the market. - Gap-site identification
The programme will identify premises that are eligible for the business retail market but aren't currently in it. This can increase market revenue by ensuring business customers are billed appropriately.
Programme team and governance
MOSL works collaboratively with trading parties during the detailed design of each phase via a programme working group made up of representatives from four wholesalers, three retailers, and a NAV. Together, MOSL and the working group agree the specific data items that are provided, the mechanism by which feedback is received and addressed, and 'pilot' the phases in advance of them being launched with the wider market. In terms of responsibilities:
MOSL - MOSL is responsible for leading the Strategic Data Programme, coordinating the working group meetings, and working with the data services partner. We are also responsible for monitoring the service and ensuring targets are being met.
Programme Team
Programme Sponsor - Simon Powell
Product Owner and Lead - Matt Labrum
Programme Manager - Spencer Mattia
Project Manager - Lisa-Ann Lott
Communications Lead - Megan Riley
Digital Support - Subhash Marti
Programme Support - Daniel McNamara
Working Group - The Strategic Data Programme working group is responsible for collaborating to reach consensus on how to improve the service for trading parties as the phases progress. The working group will meet every three weeks. The first meeting took place on 7 August 2025.
The working group includes representatives from the following trading parties:
- United Utilities
- Northumbrian Water
- Castle Water
- Water Plus
- Thames Water
- Wave
- Leep Utilities
- Affinity Water
Programme timeline
The projected timeline for each of the phases can be found below. This timeline is up-to-date as of January 2026.
If you require this timeline in a more accessible format, please contact comms@mosl.co.uk. For further information on what is set to be delivered in 2025/26, please see the Strategic Data Programme section of the 2025-28 Business Plan.