OCDQ - Obsessive-Compulsive Data Quality (OCDQ) by Jim Harris

Entries in DQ-Tip (5)

Saturday

16Jan2010

DQ-Tip: “Start where you are...”

Jim Harris in

Books,

Data Quality tagged

DQ-Tip,

Danette McGilvray

Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 1:16PM

Data Quality (DQ) Tips is an OCDQ regular segment. Each DQ-Tip is a clear and concise data quality pearl of wisdom.

“Start where you are

Use what you have

Do what you can.”

This DQ-Tip is actually a wonderful quote from Arthur Ashe, which serves as the opening of the final chapter of the fantastic data quality book: Executing Data Quality Projects: Ten Steps to Quality Data and Trusted Information by Danette McGilvray.

“I truly believe,” explains McGilvray, “that no matter where you are, there is something you can do to help your organization. I also recognize the fact that true sustainability of any data quality effort requires management support. But don't be discouraged if you don't have the ear of the CEO (of course that would be nice, but don't let it stop you if you don't).”

McGilvray then suggests the following excellent list of dos and don'ts:

You DON'T have to have the CEO's support to begin, but . . .
You DO have to have the appropriate level of management support to get started while continuing to obtain additional support from as high up the chain as possible.
You DON'T have to have all the answers, but . . .
You DO need to do your homework and be willing to ask questions.
You DON'T need to do everything all at once, but . . .
You DO need to have a plan of action and get started!

“So what are you waiting for?” asks McGilvray.

“Get going: build on your experience, continue to learn, bring value to your organization, have fun, and enjoy the journey!”

Submit DQ-Tips

Please submit your favorite data quality tips via the DQ-Tips Forum Topic in the Data Quality Symposium.

DQ-Tip: “Data quality is about more than just improving your data...”

DQ-Tip: “...Go talk with the people using the data”

DQ-Tip: “Data quality is primarily about context not accuracy...”

DQ-Tip: “Don't pass bad data on to the next person...”

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Monday

23Nov2009

DQ-Tip: “Data quality is about more than just improving your data...”

Jim Harris in

Books,

Data Quality tagged

DQ-Tip

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7:11PM

Data Quality (DQ) Tips is an OCDQ regular segment. Each DQ-Tip is a clear and concise data quality pearl of wisdom.

“Data quality is about more than just improving your data.

Ultimately, the goal is improving your organization.”

This DQ-Tip is from Tony Fisher's great book The Data Asset: How Smart Companies Govern Their Data for Business Success.

In the book, Fisher explains that one of the biggest mistakes organizations make is not viewing their data as a corporate asset. This common misconception often prevents data quality from being rightfully viewed a critical priority.

Data quality is misperceived to be an activity performed just for the sake of improving data. When in fact, data quality is an activity performed for the sake of improving business processes.

“Better data leads to better decisions,” explains Fisher, “which ultimately leads to better business. Therefore, the very success of your organization is highly dependent on the quality of your data.”

Submit DQ-Tips

Please submit your favorite data quality tips via the DQ-Tips Forum Topic in the Data Quality Symposium.

DQ-Tip: “...Go talk with the people using the data”

DQ-Tip: “Data quality is primarily about context not accuracy...”

DQ-Tip: “Don't pass bad data on to the next person...”

Thursday

15Oct2009

DQ-Tip: “...Go talk with the people using the data”

Jim Harris in

Books,

Data Quality,

Events tagged

Arkady Maydanchik,

DQ-Tip,

TDWI World Conference

Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 1:38PM

Data Quality (DQ) Tips is an OCDQ regular segment. Each DQ-Tip is a clear and concise data quality pearl of wisdom.

“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.”

This DQ-Tip came from the TDWI World Conference Chicago 2009 presentation Modern Data Quality Techniques in Action by Gian Di Loreto from Loreto Services and Technologies.

As I blogged about in Data Gazers (borrowing that excellent phrase from Arkady Maydanchik), within cubicles randomly dispersed throughout the sprawling office space of companies large and small, there exist countless unsung heroes of data quality initiatives. Although their job titles might be labeling them as a Business Analyst, Programmer Analyst, Account Specialist or Application Developer, their true vocation is a far more noble calling. They are Data Gazers.

A most bizarre phenomenon (that I have witnessed too many times) is that as a data quality initiative “progresses” it tends to get further and further away from the people who use the data on a daily basis.

Please follow the excellent advice of Gian and Arkady — go talk with your users.

Trust me — everyone on your data quality initiative will be very happy that you did.

Submit DQ-Tips

Please submit your favorite data quality tips via the DQ-Tips Forum Topic in the Data Quality Symposium.

DQ-Tip: “Data quality is primarily about context not accuracy...”

DQ-Tip: “Don't pass bad data on to the next person...”

Wednesday

23Sep2009

DQ-Tip: “Data quality is primarily about context not accuracy...”

Jim Harris in

Blogs,

Data Quality tagged

DQ-Tip

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 3:50PM

Data Quality (DQ) Tips is an OCDQ regular segment. Each DQ-Tip is a clear and concise data quality pearl of wisdom.

“Data quality is primarily about context not accuracy.

Accuracy is part of the equation, but only a very small portion.”

This DQ-Tip is from Rick Sherman's recent blog post summarizing the TDWI Boston Chapter Meeting at MIT.

I define data using the Dragnet definition – it is “just the facts” collected as an abstract description of the real-world entities that the enterprise does business with (e.g. customers, vendors, suppliers). A common definition for data quality is fitness for the purpose of use, the common challenge is that data has multiple uses – each with its own fitness requirements. Viewing each intended use as the information that is derived from data, I define information as data in use or data in action.

Alternatively, information can be defined as data in context.

Quality, as Sherman explains, “is in the eyes of the beholder, i.e. the business context.”

Submit DQ-Tips

Please submit your favorite data quality tips via the DQ-Tips Forum Topic in the Data Quality Symposium.

DQ-Tip: “Don't pass bad data on to the next person...”

The General Theory of Data Quality

The Data-Information Continuum

Wednesday

16Sep2009

DQ-Tip: “Don't pass bad data on to the next person...”

Jim Harris in

Books,

Data Quality tagged

DQ-Tip,

Thomas Redman

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 8:50PM

Data Quality (DQ) Tips is a new regular segment. Each DQ-Tip is a clear and concise data quality pearl of wisdom.

“Don't pass bad data on to the next person. And don't accept bad data from the previous person.”

This DQ-Tip is from Thomas Redman's excellent book Data Driven: Profiting from Your Most Important Business Asset.

In the book, Redman explains that this advice is a rewording of his favorite data quality policy of all time.

Assuming that it is someone else's responsibility is a fundamental root case for enterprise data quality problems. One of the primary goals of a data quality initiative must be to define the roles and responsibilities for data ownership and data quality.

In sports, it is common for inspirational phrases to be posted above every locker room exit door. Players acknowledge and internalize the inspirational phrase by reaching up and touching it as they head out onto the playing field.

Perhaps you should post this DQ-Tip above every break room exit door throughout your organization?