Some Data Request Best Practices

Some Data Request Best Practices

StockSnap_GYTYWUEPHO_DataRequestThoughts

Data Governance and data intelligence is about best-practices designed to help people access, understand, connect, and effectively use your organization’s data across all systems.

Data governance should be open to all consumers and creators as well as having an established communication process. An important process to have is a data request process.

In a previous post we covered our Thoughts on Data Requests.

Here are 3 best practices for the data request process:

Best Practice #1: Simple First Steps

Document your current data request process.  If none exists, start with a “first-step process”. Let folks know who they should contact if they have a data request.

Best Practice #2: Facilitate Self Service

Try to  avoid the request all together and allow folks to find the desired information on their own.  

Allow for the easy discovery of:

  • Data Deliverables Catalog - existing reports and extracts
  • Data Definitions – business glossary and technical guidance
  • Data System Information
  • Data Access

If they can’t find what they need - let them ask for help first.  If they still can’t find what they need - create a request.

Best Practice #3: Central Intake of Data Requests

Create a front door (one door) for all data requests.  This door is not a barrier.  Make sure that you monitor that door.  Check for performance and process improvements.  Make sure you have a guest book and welcome instructions.
Your knowledge base should be updated as part of your data request process.

Use a tool like the Data Cookbook to handle your data requests so that all stakeholders can interact with the system as well as have integration with reporting tools and ticketing systems.

Also check out our other data request resources in this blog post.

If interested in learning more about the Data Cookbook or our data governance services, feel free to Contact Us.

(image credit StockSnap_GYTYWUEPHO_DataRequestThoughts #1064)

Jim Walery
About the Author

Jim Walery is a marketing professional who has been providing marketing services to technology companies for over 20 years and specifically those in higher education since 2010. Jim assists in getting the word out about the community via a variety of channels. Jim is knowledgeable in social media, blogging, collateral creation and website content. He is Inbound Marketing certified by HubSpot. Jim holds a B.A. from University of California, Irvine and a M.A. from Webster University. Jim can be reached at jwalery[at]idatainc.com.

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts

Categories