Data Quality Symposium > DQ-Tips
“Don't pass bad data on to the next person. And don't accept bad data from the previous person.” - Thomas Redman
http://www.ocdqblog.com/home/dq-tip-dont-pass-bad-data-on-to-the-next-person.html
Jim Harris
Quote from a high-end Sushi fisherman I saw on the Discovery Channel the other night:
"We don't do one thing 100% better than anyone else, we do one hundred things 1% better than everyone else. That is quality."
The point being, data quality is not "a thing" it is every thing; done a little bit better.
If the devil is in the details, our redemption is in getting those details right.
Mr. Phillip Sand Hansel II
When double checking something you or someone else has done, do it a different way.
A simple example is adding up a list of numbers. First add them from top to bottom, then check the answer by adding from bottom to top. The more varied ways you can think of for achieving the same (expected) result, the more likely you will come across the anomaly.
Phil A
“Data quality is primarily about context not accuracy. Accuracy is part of the equation, but only a very small portion.”
- Rick Sherman
http://www.ocdqblog.com/home/dq-tip-data-quality-is-primarily-about-context-not-accuracy.html
Jim Harris
“In order for your data quality initiative to be successful, you must: Walk away from the computer and go talk with the people using the data.” - Gian Di Loreto
http://www.ocdqblog.com/home/dq-tip-go-talk-with-the-people-using-the-data.html
Jim Harris
If you identify a data quality problem and successfully address it, then make sure to define KPIs/Processes which will be used to monitor that aspect of data quality on an ongoing basis (Daily/Weekly/Monthly as appropriate).
Early and continuous detection (or even prevention) will save a lot of time/anxiety/money in the long run.
Vish Agashe
“Data quality is about more than just improving your data. Ultimately, the goal is improving your organization.” - Tony Fisher
http://www.ocdqblog.com/home/dq-tip-data-quality-is-about-more-than-just-improving-your-d.html
Jim Harris
"Ultimately, poor data quality is like dirt on the windshield. You may be able to drive for a long time with slowly degrading vision, but at some point, you either have to stop and clear the windshield, or risk everything." - Ken Orr
http://blog.hubdesigns.com/2009/12/13/hidden-costs-of-duplicate-customer-data/
Thorsten Radde
“Start where you are – Use what you have – Do what you can.” - Arthur Ashe (via Danette McGilvray)
http://www.ocdqblog.com/home/dq-tip-start-where-you-are.html
Jim Harris
“There is no point in monitoring data quality if no one within the business feels responsible for it.” - Thomas Ravn
http://www.ocdqblog.com/home/dq-tip-there-is-no-point-in-monitoring-data-quality.html
Jim Harris
Data Quality (DQ) Tips is a regular segment for blog posts here at Obsessive-Compulsive Data Quality (OCDQ).
Each DQ-Tip is a clear and concise data quality pearl of wisdom.
Please help identify DQ-Tips by posting a reply with your favorite data quality tip.