A comprehensive data quality strategy from this local government agency. From the Resource: “Objectives of the Data Quality Strategy: the service recognises the importance of data quality as we need reliable, accurate and timely performance information with which to manage services, inform users and account for our performance. We are committed to ensuring that we maintain the highest standards of data quality and as a result get our performance information ‘right first time.’ This will enable us to have the right information at the right time at the right cost.”

Link to External Resource: Data Quality Strategy

Source: South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

See more Resources like this one in this Data Quality Resource Guide Section: Data Quality Implementation Plans and Documents

Posted: October 15th, 2009

Data Quality best practices: “1) Align on deliverables, targets and goals 2) Procedures go before the tools 3) Benchmark quality/accuracy 4) Take samples 5) Communicate KPI’s with the rest of the organization 6) Reference (UNSPSC, SIC, DUNS, Postcode tables) 7) Join forces – Act as a family – Or stop doing it 8 ) Define ownership/sponsorship and accountability.”

Link to External Resource: Data Quality: It’s a Family Affair

Source: Wim Helmer, Dun & Bradstreet

See more Resources like this one in this Data Quality Resource Guide Section: Data Quality Best Practices

Posted: October 14th, 2009

As part of a series on 16 data governance best practices, data quality is covered as a key component. From the Resource: “It is always better to understand the root cause of data quality issues. Clearly, addressing problems at their source is not always possible, economically justifiable or politically palatable. It is, however, always the ‘best’ place to address them. It should be the first place at which the attempt is made.”

Link to External Resource: The Sweet 16: Emerging Best Practices in Data Governance

Source: Michael Lombard, Baseline Consulting

See more Resources like this one in this Data Quality Resource Guide Section: Data Quality Best Practices

Posted: October 12th, 2009

A classic look at key tenets of data quality. From the Resource: “A popular exercise in many corporate training courses goes something like this: The class members are asked to imagine that in one of the company offices is a fine antique French desk, recently purchased for $20,000. On top of the desk sits a brand-new laptop computer, complete with all the bells and whistles, that cost $3,000, along with a diskette that cost $1. The diskette contains the only known list of the names and purchases of the organization’s fifty largest customers. Now, each trainee is told, a fire has started and the trainee can save the desk, the computer, or the diskette-but only one of the three. Which should be saved?”

Link to External Resource: Data Quality: Should Universities Worry?

Source: Thomas C. Redman, Educause Review

See more Resources like this one in this Data Quality Resource Guide Section: Data Quality Costs & Benefits

Posted: October 12th, 2009

A helpful look at the causes, impact and options to addressing poor data quality. From the Resource:

“Just as poor quality air creates problems for organisms, poor quality data creates problems for the health of your organization.”

Link to External Resource: Data Stewardship: Conscious Data Management

Source: Cynthia Dingman, Montana Dept of Environmental Quality

See more Resources like this one in this Data Quality Resource Guide Section: Data Quality Explored

Posted: October 12th, 2009