Data Quality is not Information Quality

Data are raw figures from transaction systems that are gathered, archived, and delivered to information consumers like marketing or finance for processing and decision making. When data are placed in relations, in context, they become information. Information is received and understood message, and information is data placed in context while data is out of context. More in Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom post.

Data quality can not secure correct report publishing. Provided data can be of highest quality but if administrator that publishes reports or business analytic that publishes analysis misinterprets data, result will be poor information quality for decision makers. For example, report may show raising trend of bundle service but the reality is that it is decreasing. It may be due to false data presentation and not recognizing how to deduct new complex process from figures. Information duplication happened. Data set provided to reporting administrator was correct and detailed enough, but administrator did not recognize on time in data mass need to apply new formula in report. Nobody sent additional note to administrator and report with error was sent.

I’ve seen too many attention on data quality processes, problems, and how to improve it, Data Quality in Information Systems, Data Quality in Data Warehouse and etc. There has been too little documentation about improvement of information quality. There is little knowledge about improvement of reporting structures and processes. Data Quality is an issue for first reporting part - data provisioning, and as already stated this is very well covered. Read more in previous post Reporting Parts.

For improvement of information quality it is necessary to build processes of permanent definition updates and processes for effective communication between analytical experts for knowledge consolidation. Nobody can know everything about company processes, but team can.