Last updated on Jul 11, 2024

You're facing conflicts over data quality standards. How do you navigate them in integration projects?

Navigating conflicts over data quality standards in integration projects is a common challenge that can lead to significant issues if not addressed properly. Data quality standards ensure that the data used in decision-making is accurate, complete, and reliable. However, when integrating multiple data sources, differing standards can result in inconsistencies, leading to mistrust in the data and potentially flawed business decisions. Your role, therefore, is to find a way to harmonize these standards to maintain the integrity of the data and the insights derived from it.

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1 Understand Needs

To effectively navigate data quality conflicts, you must first thoroughly understand the needs of all stakeholders involved in the integration project. This means engaging with each department or team to grasp what they consider as high-quality data. Some may prioritize accuracy, while others might focus on the completeness or timeliness of data. By recognizing these differing priorities, you can begin to identify common ground and establish a set of standards that accommodates the most critical aspects of data quality for all parties.

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SAQUIB KHAN

Data Scientist | MSc Data Science Candidate | Marketing MIS Executive
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Work with stakeholders to define clear, measurable data quality standards that align with business requirements and are consistently applied across the organization. Develop and implement robust data validation processes, including automated checks and manual reviews, to identify and address data quality issues at each stage of the integration process. Offer training and support to help data consumers understand and apply data quality standards correctly, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or misuse of data. Continuously monitor data quality metrics, identify trends and patterns, and make iterative improvements to data quality standards and processes to ensure they remain effective and relevant over time.

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2 Define Standards

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3 Establish Metrics

With agreed-upon standards in place, you need to establish metrics for measuring data quality. These metrics should be quantifiable and applicable to all data sets involved in the integration project. They will serve as benchmarks to assess whether the data meets the defined standards. Common metrics include error rates, completeness percentages, and the frequency of data updates. These metrics will help you monitor and report on data quality throughout the integration process.

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4 Implement Controls

To ensure that data quality standards are met, it's crucial to implement controls within the integration process. This might involve automated checks that validate data as it's integrated or manual reviews by data stewards. Controls help to prevent low-quality data from entering your system and ensure that any issues are identified and rectified quickly. They act as a safeguard, reducing the risk of data quality issues going unnoticed until they have caused significant problems.

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5 Continuous Monitoring

Data quality is not a one-time concern; it requires continuous monitoring and improvement. This means setting up systems to regularly review data against your established metrics and standards. By continuously monitoring data quality, you can quickly identify any deviations from the standards and take corrective action. This proactive approach helps maintain trust in the data and ensures that the integration project delivers ongoing value.

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6 Manage Change

Finally, managing change is an integral part of navigating data quality conflicts. As your organization evolves, so too will your data needs and standards. Be prepared to revisit and revise your data quality standards as necessary. This may involve re-engaging with stakeholders, updating metrics, and adjusting controls. Change management ensures that your data quality standards remain relevant and effective over time, supporting the dynamic nature of business and technology.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Mohammed Irfan CDMP, PSMII

Data architect with expertise in data management, data modeling, data quality, data governance, integration, ETL and database management. Bigdata | Teradata | Ab initio.
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Facing conflicts over data quality standards in integration projects requires clear communication and collaboration. * First, convene a meeting with all stakeholders to understand their concerns and perspectives. * Establish common ground by defining agreed-upon data quality metrics and standards. * Use data profiling tools to assess the current state and identify gaps. * Propose a phased approach to integration, allowing for incremental improvements and validations. * Encourage open dialogue and provide regular updates to ensure transparency. By fostering a collaborative environment and focusing on shared goals, conflicts can be navigated effectively, leading to a successful integration.

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You're facing conflicts over data quality standards. How do you navigate them in integration projects?

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2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Needs

2 Define Standards

3 Establish Metrics

4 Implement Controls

5 Continuous Monitoring

6 Manage Change

7 Here’s what else to consider

Data Management

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You're facing conflicts over data quality standards. How do you navigate them in integration projects?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Needs

2 Define Standards

3 Establish Metrics

4 Implement Controls

5 Continuous Monitoring

6 Manage Change

7 Here’s what else to consider

Data Management

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