7.3.3
Preparing Data for Sharing, Reporting and Visualization
Establishing a standard process to prepare data for sharing, reporting and visualization can make sure that data is publication-ready: quality checked, tested and documented.
A standard data preparation process should be used before moving data to any official reporting source – whether it is a data warehouse, a geodatabase, or a file uploaded to an open data portal.
A data preparation process might use the following checklist:
- Is the data derived from a designated authoritative source system?
- Have data quality checks been applied?
- Has metadata for the data set been prepared, including explanation of the data source, date of last update?
- Is an individual or business unit identified for data users to contact for further information?
- Is an individual or business unit identified for reporting database or system managers to contact regarding any issues that arise?
- Has metadata for the data elements included been prepared (data dictionary)?
- Has the metadata been reviewed for completeness and quality?
- Has a data owner or steward signed off on the data publication?
Ohio DOT
Data-driven decision making can be defined as:
“An approach to business governance or operations which values decisions supported with verifiable data. The success of the data-driven approach is reliant upon the quality of the data gathered and the effectiveness of its analysis and interpretation”