The Importance of a Data Dictionary and Business Glossary: Ensuring Communication Across Segments

A data dictionary and business glossary are two very important tools that should be in place when trying to ensure communication across business segments. A data dictionary is a collection of terms and their definitions, while a business glossary is a collection of terms and their meanings specific to a given industry or company. By having these two tools in place, you can avoid any confusion when trying to communicate with other departments or teams within your company. Let's take a closer look at each of these tools and why they are so important!

A Data Dictionary is a collection of definitions for fields in a data model that can be used to help people navigate the often overwhelming number of data items that might be present in a large database or other data repository. Data dictionaries are an important tool because they provide a common language that everyone can use when talking about data. This is especially important when you have employees who come from different departments or who have different levels of experience with data. By having a data dictionary, you can be sure that everyone is on the same page and using the same terminology.

A Business Glossary is a collection of terms and their definitions that are specific to a particular industry or company. This is important because it allows everyone to be on the same page when talking about industry-specific terms or company-specific acronyms. By having a business glossary, you can avoid any confusion or miscommunication among employees.

The combination of both a Data Dictionary and Business Glossary is extremely powerful. Linking terms from a business glossary to a data dictionary provides a bi-directional mapping of information that can close the gap between technology and the business. In bridging the two there is a reduction in misunderstanding, increase in effective communication, and positive outcomes through more fruitful collaborations.

So, why are data dictionaries and business glossaries so important? Simply put, they provide a common language that everyone can use when talking about data. By having these tools in place, you can avoid any confusion or miscommunication among employees. Do you have a data dictionary or business glossary in place at your company? If not, now might be a good time to start one!