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