Clear specification of the data required by an organisation is fundamental to good data quality management. These specifications clarify the data required from data processing and data gathering activities.
The collection of data requirements in an organisation is often referred to as a ‘data dictionary’. A data dictionary ensures all stakeholders understand the data required by their organisation and the meaning of existing data.
The illustration above shows how a physical asset, in this case a fan, has relationships with other objects and entities. A data dictionary helps define valid relationships that should be recorded.
Data quality management ensures that the data exploitation activities of an organisation meet objectives. The data dictionary does not deliver quality data on its own but stores the data quality criteria that deliver consistent data quality assessments.
The concept of a data dictionary is relevant for both tangible and non-tangible assets, such as information on clients, financial data, etc. It clarifies what data needs to be captured, managed and made accessible to meet organisational objectives.
Why DPA?
We support clients develop and agree their data dictionary and have successfully run data dictionary creation projects for several large organisations. We have developed and implemented governance processes to manage and control change over the dictionary content.