Data Catalog as a Driver for Success
Imagine the fictive scenario where you are the CDO of FoodInc; a global company specialised in distributing a wide range of different foods. FoodInc has many scattered data assets, inconsistent definitions between departments, and searching for relevant datasets to analyse takes a lot of time. If a robust Data Catalog had been implemented, this data landscape would not have been so chaotic. The Data Catalog functions as a centralised place where all employees within the company can find all the data at metadata level, including their sources. This post will explore the advantages of implementing a Data Catalog within your company, and the necessary key steps you should take to build one effectively.
Prevent Messy Scenarios
When no Data Catalog is in place, organisations face the risk of low data discovery, where finding data assets is hard. The assets are not being organised and individuals within the organisation do not know where to find them. Even when the assets are found, they usually are not easy to access as well. This leads to costly delays and reduced productivity. When the Data Catalog is in place, order and structure will be present.
Understanding User Perspectives
The best way to work with a Data Catalog is to open the Catalog for every employee within the company. When everyone is able to access it, it can gain a lot of everyday users and might even become a company-wide search engine. When this is not the case yet, it is worth aiming for. However, mostly the data scientists, data analysts, data engineers, and data governance leaders will be the ones browsing and using your Data Catalog. These scientists, analysts, and engineers might use the Data Catalog on a more functional level; they will first search for the data, then request permission to use that data, followed by an analysis of the data to create reports. The governance leaders, on the other hand, will use overviews of the datasets and assets to determine whether they contain sensitive and / or confidential data. By considering the needs and perspectives of these different users, organisations can tailor the Data Catalog experience, enabling users to find the information they need quickly and efficiently.
Build your Data Catalog
When considering implementing a Data Catalog, a logical structure should be followed to set one up. This typically involves taking the following steps:
- Structure domains: start by identifying and defining the domains or areas within the organisation where assets can be found. This helps to create a logical framework for organising and managing data. There might be organisational structures present in your organisation which you can use as a blueprint.
- Push or pull assets: pushing assets can be considered when you need near real-time data. However, this is more difficult to achieve. Pulling data from standard connectors with the use of an API saves time, but is not updated as frequently as when pushing the data.
- Organise assets: provide information such as descriptions, and assign owners and stewards.
- Classify assets: establish classification on both content, confidentiality, and sensitivity.
Are you enthusiastic about implementing a Data Catalog within your company? Download our factsheet that helps you setting up your own Data Catalog! Do you need more help, or do you want extra advice on how to effectively implement a Data Catalog? Reach out to us, we are happy to help!
