In Praise of Executing Data Quality Projects

Danette’s book takes a pragmatic and practical approach to achieving the desired state of data quality within an organization. It is a “must-read” for any organization starting out on the road to data quality.

– Susan Stewart Goubeaux, Director, Business Intelligence, FHLBanks, Office of Finance

“Data quality” has become one of those hackneyed phrases in our industry that everyone supports, but only a few organizations have achieved to the degree they need to move forward in their industries. What is required is a guide to explain to the business people who want better data just how to get it. This book is just such a guide. While the individual steps should not be a great surprise, her organization makes them immediately actionable to a degree previous books have not. In short, this is definitely required reading for anyone embarking on a data quality project.

– David Hay, President, Essential Strategies

Danette has taken what has previously been presented in the abstract and made an excellent, concrete guide toward improving data quality.

–John Ladley, President, IMCue Solutions

Using this methodology, you will never lose your way on your data quality project! This book is peppered with tips, guidelines, templates, cross-references, and callout icons. Plus, there are many easy-to-follow examples for the most common types of data quality projects.

– Larissa T. Moss, President, Method Focus Inc.

This book presents a valuable reference for not just data professionals, but also project managers and business representatives interested in or responsible for establishing, maintaining, and/or improving data and information quality. What sets this book apart from others in the field is the business impact-driven approach to assessing and improving data quality, and the specific steps and techniques it provides every step of the way.

– Mehmet Orun, Senior Manager and Principal Architect, Data Services Center of Excellence, Fortune 250 Company

Comprehensive is the first word I would use to describe this book. It addresses so many nuances of every aspect of data quality assessment and improvement—things that would go unmentioned by more superficial treatments. Bravo!

– Michael Scofield, Manager, Data Asset Development, ESRI, Inc.

This book is a “must-own” for business and technical data quality managers and practitioners. Danette clearly demonstrates where her process will add value to quality projects that stand-alone or as the backbone of a successful data integration effort.

– Robert S. Seiner, KIK Consulting & Educational Services, LLC; The Data Administration Newsletter, LLC

Danette’s writing style is appropriate for her audience, the content is superb, and her Ten Steps approach is clear and easy to follow but comprehensive. This is an excellent book and I would think it will be an essential reference for any effort in data quality.

– Anne Marie Smith, Ph.D., Director of Education and Principal Consultant, EWSolutions, Inc.

Danette has compiled a valuable toolkit for managing information quality improvement projects. Her clear, concise definitions of concepts also make it a nice primer on the principles of information quality for data professionals, business managers, or students. I would recommend this practical handbook to anyone embarking on an information quality project.

– Eva Smith, MSIM, CCP, CDMP, Instructor, Computer Information Systems

No two data quality projects are the same. Some are large efforts focused entirely on improving some quality aspect of information. Others are subprojects within other efforts, such as a data migration. Still others are led by a few individuals trying to make a difference as they perform their everyday activities. What I like about McGilvray’s Ten Steps approach is that it can serve any of these situations. This book provides a structured, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-govern methodology that you can apply to the degree that is appropriate for you.

– Gwen Thomas, President, The Data Governance Institute