Data Quality is such a Rush

Feb 17, 2010 by Jim Harris in Data Quality

With over 15 years of experience, I consider myself a data quality expert.  However, I know data quality is a marathon and more than just a dash.

In the long run, it’s not how fast you can go, or even how far you have come.  We all go through different stages.

My current stage is social media, which is evolving me from an analog kid into a digital man—a modern data warrior with a mean, mean stride.

Some will sell their dreams for small desires, but my motivation cannot be crushed, because as my vital signs demonstrate—data quality is such a Rush.

Data Quality is such a Rush

From the very first data record, all the way down to the very last
Data quality is such a rush
You’ll feel like the peak will never pass
Seeing bad data, you grab a scrubbing brush

But focusing on cleansing alone is so one-sided
Defect prevention must also be provided
Although not every data future may always be pre-decided
Between cleansing and prevention your time must be sub-divided

Unstable data condition
Unreliable business decision
A symptom of corporate life
Requiring mental and environmental change
Atmospheric enterprise disturbance
Caused by the uncontrolled data flux
Of human interface and data exchange

Although the business impulse is pure
Sometimes data circuits get shorted
By internal incoherence
Signals get crossed
And the balance distorted

This is about more than just optimal business performance
This is about more than just another technical spark
This is about more than just the bottom line
Or taking another gamble on a lucky shot in the dark

Although everybody has got mixed feelings
About both the function and the form
Everybody needs to reverse their polarity
Everybody has got to elevate their norm

You need to leave out the fiction
And face the fact that this friction
Will only be worn by persistence
You need to leave out the excuses and conditions
And with your courageous convictions
You’ll drag this data quality dream into existence

It’s a test of ultimate will
The heartbreak climb uphill
But you’ve got to pick up the enterprise pace
If you want to stay in the competitive race

What your data quality says about your company
Is what decides if your success can become reality
Catch the gist, dispel the myth
Solve the mystery, catch my drift?

Always hopeful, yet discontent
You know resistance to change will never relent
You know changes aren’t permanent
But change is

When your data quality is under observation
You’ll closely monitor every technical station
You’ll pick up scraps of critical information
You’ll become adept at business adaptation

But enough of me giving speeches, because they’re oh so droll
I’ll leave you alone now and let you rock and roll
Although I’m good at teaching, sometimes I’m an impatient man
But I know that you’ll do the very best that you can

From the very first data record, all the way down to the very last
You’ll feel like the peak will never pass
Whether expressed with a fervent scream or in a quiet hush
Data quality is such a rush

* * *

This blog post was the result of an accepted challenge.

Tags: Data Quality, Rush