Thoughts on Data Requests

Data Governance (also referred to as data intelligence) is about best-practices designed to help people access, understand, connect, and effectively use your organization’s data across all systems.  This requires an established data request process.

Here are some of our thoughts on the subject.  Let's 1st talk about what actions are necessary in data requests which are:

• Search for existing report or answer set
• Research details for self service reporting
• Submit a data request
• Run Request
• Create a new report/extract
• Change/Update an existing report/extract

Now let's talk about the many types of data requests that are possible which are:

• Quantitative information and facts
• One-time data extract
• Multi-use reports or extracts
• Trend-Analysis reports
• Surveys – Quantitative
• Surveys – Qualitative
• ETL and/or Data Mart request
• Data Integration
• Visualizations/Dashboards
• Alerts/Notifications

Data requests can come from a variety of internal and external requestors.

Internal requestors could be the following:

• business offices
• administration
• faculty
• staff
• students
• board
• college formed teams/committees

External requestors could be the following:

• government agencies – state or federal
• regulatory reporting, surveys, and operational reports
• consortium, systems, and shared reporting
• associations such as AAUDE, NSC, COACHE, PAR, etc.
• regulatory / compliance agencies
• accreditation organizations, auditors, NCAA, etc.
• financial - banks, vendors, financial aid organizations, grants, etc.
• press and community
• technology vendors
• admissions, lead generation groups, retention, transfer, etc.
• alumni / donors
• other higher education institutions

Probably self-evident, but let's review the importance of having a data request process in place which includes:

• getting accurate and trusted information
• being efficient, timely and cost-effective
• improving customer service and reporting

Remember that data requests are not just a two-person game at your organization.  Many individuals are affected by that request and having the data request and the response in an easily accessible place is a tremendous benefit.

Of course we recommend using a tool like the Data Cookbook to handle your data requests so that so that all all stakeholders can interact with the system as well as having integration with reporting solutions 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  .

(image credit StockSnap_GYTYWUEPHO_DataRequestThoughts #1007)