Guide to managing a data quality assurance program

Editor's note

Companies in various industries often suffer from a common problem: poor data quality. Despite an increased focus on data quality management efforts, often spurred on by regulatory requirements, many organizations continue to struggle with low data quality levels. For example, more than one-third of 210 IT and business professionals surveyed by consultancy The Information Difference Ltd. in early 2013 rated the quality of the data in their systems as "average" or below. It could have been worse: More than 40% said their companies hadn't set up enterprise-level data quality assurance programs.

A practical, comprehensive and well-managed data quality strategy can eliminate scattershot efforts in different business units and help ensure that business users throughout an organization have access to consistent and accurate information. But to do so, a program must address the root causes of data inconsistencies, fix errors through data cleansing and unite separate data quality initiatives. Implementing such a program calls for heavy amounts of collaboration between IT teams and senior business executives, as well as the involvement of business users.

This guide compiles a variety of articles that offer insight and advice on planning, instituting and managing an effective data quality process. The content featured here examines the roles and responsibilities required in data quality programs, ways to secure and maintain business buy-in for data quality investments, best practices for data quality management, and the potential benefits of combining data quality work with master data management and data governance programs. Tips and examples from organizations that have successfully worked to improve data quality are also included.