Data Management and Governance Basics
Study Course Implementer
SZF, Kuldigas Street 9C, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
Students will become familiar with the fundamental principles and practices of data management and governance, learning how organizations structure, store, and utilize data. The course will provide an understanding of the importance of data quality, the data lifecycle, and the basic elements of data policies. Students will gain practical skills in data organization and documentation, as well as an understanding of the role of data in everyday business processes. The course will prepare students to work with data in various organizations, building a foundation for further specialization in the field of data analytics.
Preliminary Knowledge
Not necessary.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students are able to name basic concepts of data management and explain their importance in the context of the organisation.
2.Students recognise key elements of the data strategy and describe their interconnectedness.
3.Students understand the basic principles of data security and describe the most typical data protection measures.
4.Students are able to explain the concept of data quality and identify factors that affect the accuracy and completeness of data.
5.Students describe the role of metadata in data management and their application in everyday work with data.
6.Students understand the need for data integration and identify basic approaches to data exchange between systems.
Skills
1.Students are able to describe key elements of the data strategy and explain their relationship with the objectives of the organisation.
2.Students are able to recognise the most typical data management problems in organisations and offer basic solutions directions.
3.Students are able to characterise basic data security measures and explain their use in specific situations.
4.Students are able to perform a simple data quality assessment and identify key data quality problems.
5.Students are able to describe basic principles of data integration and explain how data flows between different systems.
6.Students are able to present data management issues in a structured way, clearly articulating key conclusions.
Competences
1.Students will be able to participate in data management activities and support the implementation of the data strategy within the organisation.
2.Students will be able to identify data management problems with the support of their manager and offer solutions that improve data security, quality or integration.
3.Students will be able to perform data quality checks and document metadata in accordance with the specified guidelines.
4.Students will be able to keep up with the latest trends in data management and offer ideas to improve processes.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Test |
50.00% from total grade
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10 points
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In the middle of the course (lecture 6-7), students will be presented with the main assessment task – situational analysis (case study). Students will be able to perform the task individually or in pairs. Several case study examples will be issued based on real organization situations where different data management and management issues can be seen. Using the knowledge and skills acquired in the course, students will need to develop a strategic plan and create a presentation offering solutions to the problems of the organisation concerned. The final work will have to be submitted and presentations presented at the end of the course. |
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
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Students' knowledge will be tested in two tests: - Test No. 1 will be organized after the 5th lecture. The aim of the test is to check whether students understand the main principles of data management, data strategy and data architecture. The test will include both open and closed questions. |
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2.
Test |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
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- Test No. 2 will take place after the 12th lecture. It aims to assess students’ knowledge of the main principles discussed in the remaining course lectures. |
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3.
Examination |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
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The main evaluation criteria in this work will be: - logical structure and relevance of the data management strategy (30%) - situational analysis and problem identification (20%) - practical solutions (30%) - innovative thinking and approach (10%) - quality of presentation and documentation (10%) |
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Study Course Theme Plan
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Introduction
Description
This lecture will examine the importance of data governance and management in the operations of modern organizations. Students will gain an understanding of how various types of data can be transformed into a strategic resource. The lecture will cover the key principles and best practices that ensure effective data management, enabling organizations to maximize the potential of their data and adapt it to specific business needs, creating real value. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Introduction
Description
This lecture will examine the importance of data governance and management in the operations of modern organizations. Students will gain an understanding of how various types of data can be transformed into a strategic resource. The lecture will cover the key principles and best practices that ensure effective data management, enabling organizations to maximize the potential of their data and adapt it to specific business needs, creating real value. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data governance
Description
In this lecture, students will become familiar with the fundamental principles of data governance, including the establishment of data policies, rules, and structures that ensure high data quality, integrity, and security across the organization. The lecture will also cover the allocation of roles and responsibilities in the data governance process, emphasizing how each role contributes to the organization's ability to effectively utilize and protect its data resources. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data management
Description
This lecture will cover data management processes throughout the entire data lifecycle from data creation and collection to storage, analysis, and disposal. Students will acquire essential skills needed to effectively manage data, ensuring its availability, accuracy, and security. Additionally, the lecture will explore methods for utilizing data for analytical purposes, creating added value for organizational operations and facilitating the achievement of organizational objectives. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data strategy
Description
In this lecture, students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of data strategy and its relationship to an organization's core objectives. The lecture will analyze methods for developing and implementing data initiatives aligned with the company's strategic direction, and will discuss the necessary tools as well as the cultural changes that promote effective data utilization. The lecture will help students understand how to maximize the value of data to facilitate data-driven decision-making and build a data-driven organization. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data strategy
Description
In this lecture, students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of data strategy and its relationship to an organization's core objectives. The lecture will analyze methods for developing and implementing data initiatives aligned with the company's strategic direction, and will discuss the necessary tools as well as the cultural changes that promote effective data utilization. The lecture will help students understand how to maximize the value of data to facilitate data-driven decision-making and build a data-driven organization. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data architecture
Description
This lecture will cover the importance of data architecture and the fundamental principles of its design. Students will gain knowledge of how to effectively plan and manage data flows within an organization, ensuring data consistency, scalability, and integration across different systems and platforms. The lecture will emphasize the role of architecture at the strategic level of data management to support the company's long-term objectives and technological requirements. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data security
Description
This lecture will cover the key principles of data security and the technologies that protect data against unauthorized access, breaches, or loss. Students will learn how to develop and implement data protection policies, utilize encryption methods, access control mechanisms, and monitoring procedures. The lecture will emphasize how to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability in order to effectively protect an organization's most critical data resources. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data security
Description
This lecture will cover the key principles of data security and the technologies that protect data against unauthorized access, breaches, or loss. Students will learn how to develop and implement data protection policies, utilize encryption methods, access control mechanisms, and monitoring procedures. The lecture will emphasize how to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability in order to effectively protect an organization's most critical data resources. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data ethics
Description
In this lecture, students will learn the fundamental principles of data ethics, with particular attention to ensuring privacy, transparency, and fairness in data usage processes. The lecture will examine how organizations can comply with legal requirements and societal expectations while protecting the rights and dignity of individuals. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data modelling
Description
In this lecture, students will learn how to create structured data models and plan their design to ensure a clear understanding of the relationships and connections between data elements. The lecture will provide practical skills in data organization that will facilitate effective data utilization in databases, systems, and analytical processes, ensuring accuracy and consistency in data processing. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data storage and operations
Description
This lecture will cover the fundamental principles of data storage and operations management, with an emphasis on the technologies and processes that ensure data availability, performance, and scalability. Students will also acquire skills in ensuring the continuity of data storage solutions and their alignment with business operational requirements, guaranteeing that data remains accessible and reliable even under increasing load and volume. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Data integration and interoperability
Description
In this lecture, students will learn how to ensure effective data integration from various sources and their interoperability. The lecture will cover methods for harmonizing data formats and protocols that enable seamless data flow between different systems and organizational units. The lecture will focus on how these processes improve data analysis and facilitate more accurate and faster decision-making within the organization. |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Document and content management
Description
This lecture will cover the fundamental principles of document and content management, with particular attention to the storage, indexing, and security of unstructured data such as documents, emails, and multimedia data. Students will learn methods for ensuring the accessibility, compliance, and effective utilization of these resources for organizational needs, facilitating easier access and better management. |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Metadata management and data quality
Description
This lecture will cover the principles of metadata management and data quality, emphasizing their importance in the successful operation of an organization. Metadata management encompasses the management of data descriptions, definitions, rules, and lineage, ensuring that users clearly understand the origin, context, and meaning of data. This promotes better data governance, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, and facilitates more effective data utilization. Data quality management focuses on ensuring data accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness so that data is fit for its intended purpose. This supports the development of reliable analytical tools and quality decision-making while reducing the likelihood of errors. |
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Analysis of the situation
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Bibliography
Required Reading
DAMA-DMBOK Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd edition) by DAMA internationalSuitable for English stream
Additional Reading
Data Governance: How to Design, Deploy and Sustain an Effective Data Governance Program (2nd edition) by John LadleySuitable for English stream
The Chief Data Officer's Playbook by Caroline Carruthers and Peter Jackson
Non-Invasive Data Governance by Robert S. Seiner
Data Strategy by Bernard Marr
Data Driven Business Transformation by Caroline Carruthers and Peter Jackson
The Data Warehouse Toolkit (3rd edition) by Ralph Kimball