UNLV Data Policies - DA04 Integrity
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DA 04 UNLV Data Integrity and Integration Policy
Ensure that University data has a high degree of integrity and that common elements have common definitions and values.
Purpose
The University will manage its data as an asset for the entire University community. This policy is intended to ensure that University data has a high degree of integrity and that key data elements can be integrated across departments and electronic systems. The policy will result in confidence among faculty, staff, and management of the University to trust and rely on the data for information and decision support.
Philosophy
The premise of all UNLV Data Governance Policies is that data is a valuable resource belonging to the University. Policies create a framework to assure access to data for legitimate University business. Policies assume a philosophy of freedom of access to University data by all members of the community, coupled with the responsibility to adhere to all policies and all legal constraints that govern that use.
Applicability
Adherence to this policy is necessary for all University data that is used in more than one application, is shared by more than one department, that represents the same thing from different perspectives as it is stored in various systems, or that must meet common standards for reporting to state or federal entities.
Policy
University data must be consistently represented across all systems that use it, process it, and report on it. It must mean the same thing in every application, and have the same coded values in all UNLV/NSHE systems. All University data will be represented within a single logical data model that will be the source for all physical data models. Data Governance is responsible for developing this model.
Documentation (metadata) on each data element will be maintained within a University repository according to specifications provided by the University Data Quality Administrator and presented as the University Data Dictionary. These specifications will include acceptable values for each element, and will allow data to be reported consistently regardless of the system. Data Governance Executive Sponsors will consider data issues that arise, and will decide outcomes. It is the responsibility of each data steward to ensure the correctness of the data values for the elements within their charge and to take timely corrective action when necessary.
Data Dictionary - a reference tool which provides a description of all the University data elements.
At least the following information will be included in the data dictionary.
- Element identification.
Information is included to identify each element uniquely, with descriptive components.
- Stewardship responsibility.
Every data element will have a designated data steward listed in the dictionary.
- Security level.
Every data element will be assigned a security level. This will be used to determine levels of access.
- Data source of record.
Each element has only one system of record. This information identifies the official name for the element, where it is stored, how it is entered, what valid values exist for it.
- Name.
The system name and the element name used in that database will be the primary key to the registry database.
- Values.
Allowable values and validation tables.
- Names recognized by users.
Other names used on reports or on screens to mean this element.
- Where used.
Other systems that use this element. This is an opportunity to document processes that use the same element.
The data steward will determine which core data elements are part of University Data, and therefore included in the data dictionary reports.
Specification of Metadata Repository/data dictionary
Selection and acquisition of metadata repository tool
Data stewards begin entering data into metadata repository
Comments and Items to Discuss as Policy is Reviewed
September 24, 2006, from Dawn Neuman
Integrity
Promotion of Accurate Interpretation and Responsible Use
Determination of Security Requirements
Establishment of Archiving Procedures
Establishment of Disaster Recovery Procedures
Here is a copy of the policy in D R A F T Official Format, in MS Word
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