Best Practices to Realize Data Quality

The primary focus of this chapter is to look the key principles and patterns required to improve the quality of existing data. While there are 10 key best practices to improve data quality, this chapter looked at six key data quality best practices related to data capture. Every meaningful initiative starts with a purpose that needs to be objectively measured with Key Performance Indicators. Data ownership holds the key to leveraging data for business performance, and one effective way to inculcate data ownership is by building data literacy. Assessment is the starting point in any performance improvement initiative. Every data element is composed of multiple attributes or fields. Reference data and master data elements are shared throughout the enterprise and hence should be standardized and consistent. The effective way to make reference and master data standard and consistent is with data standards and master data management.