Data Quality in Practice: Experience from the Front Line

Information, stored in databases, is a key competitive advantage of many companies. However, this importance does not imply that managers will view data as a strategic resource or that they have the experience to interpret business processes in terms of data management. One way to overcome this corporate inexperience is to establish a data quality system - a controlled and robust process that executes the measurement, analysis and improvement of data quality. Yet, often the most difficult problem in practice is to get a data quality system up and running, and accepted as worthwhile by senior management. Based on my experience, practice and research into data quality, I recommmend four steps to initiate the implementation of a successful system: (i) establish data quality position, (ii) formulate a data quality policy, (iii) determine objectives and (iv) obtain management and employee commitment. For each of these steps I highlight ways to ensure the best chances to succesfully manage ...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1996
• Where: IQ
• Authors: Christopher P. Firth
• Keywords: Data Quality, IQ 1996, IQ 2007, Key Competitive Advantage, Quality System