By Anne Marie Smith, Ph.D., FIDM, ADGP
A new definition of data integrity focuses on an ethical approach to managing and using data, providing an objective and unbiased view.
One of the main areas of responsibility for anyone concerned with the management of data is the enforcement of data integrity. Most data management texts define data integrity as “attention to the consistency, accuracy, and correctness of data stored in a database or other electronic file”. Additionally, data integrity can be defined as the extent to which all data are complete, consistent, and accurate throughout the data lifecycle.
Definition of Integrity and Data Management
However, the use and management of data in its most robust and active form should be concerned with much more than simply enforcing rules for creating and storing “right” data values. At the least, all those who are part of the data management professions have the responsibility for the proper use and welfare of the assets that represent the people, places, and things that are valuable to the organization. This view of data management and the integrity of data encompasses the base definition of the word “integrity”, “a firm adherence to a code – especially for moral or artistic values” (Merriam-Webster dictionary, 2012). This definition serves as the foundation for developing a view of data management that includes an alternate definition for “data integrity”.
This alternate definition is one that has as its goal the use and presentation of “data without bias”, refusing to allow data to support one point of view to the exclusion of any competing view. This view takes the most ethical approach and
uses the ideas of honesty and incorruptibility found in the definition of integrity to support the activities of all who manage any aspect of data – those responsible for data governance, master data management, or data quality management. An ethical approach to data management would be the care and use of data with integrity, without bias or predetermined results, and without any actions that would cause harm or negatively affect the storage or use of that data.
Therefore, “data integrity” can be defined as “managing and using data according to a code or set of values, with honesty”. Data governance and data quality professionals can serve as the leaders of this new approach to data integrity through their oversight of the data rules, values, and application of standards to the data in their areas of responsibility. Using this approach can elevate the practice of data ethics to include aspects of all the data management functions.
Conclusion
Adopting a new definition of “data integrity” could lead to expanding an awareness of the need for active data management within organizations, especially from data governance and data quality professionals. All data management professionals can foster this approach to data integrity based on ethical principles through impartial presentation and use of data and by exhibiting the principles of true, ethically based data integrity in their development of standards, definitions, and guidelines for data usage.
Dr. Anne Marie Smith: Architect of Modern Data Management Practices and Educator of the Profession
Anne Marie Smith, Ph.D., is an Information Management professional and consultant with broad experience across industries. She is a certified data management professional (CDMP) and is a frequent speaker and author on data management topics. Anne Marie is a primary author of several sections of the DAMA-Data Management Body of Knowledge (DAMA-DMBOK). Anne Marie received the DAMA International Professional Achievement Award in 2015. She was awarded the designation of “Fellow of Insurance Data Management” and “Fellow of International Information Management” and holds numerous certifications.
Anne Marie’s consulting areas include: enterprise information management strategy and planning, enterprise information assessment and program development, data governance program development, data warehousing, business requirements gathering and analysis, master data management, data quality management, and data architecture. She has taught numerous workshops and courses in her areas of expertise.
Anne Marie holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master’s of Business Administration in Management Information Systems (MIS) and Risk Management from La Salle University; she earned a Ph.D. in MIS at Northcentral University.
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