Quality is not an act, it is a habit
Quality is not an act, it is a habit
For most organizations information quality (IQ) becomes more and more important. Gartner on this:
"Organizations are starting to realize that poor information quality is hurting them. However, few know how to address the issues or where to begin. Information quality management methodologies can provide guidance."
Larry English adds to this:
"We are in the Information Age and information has become the differentiating resource between companies. The quality of their information determines whether an organization will be successful or fail. One cannot sit down in complacency, when the competition redefines the competitive rules."
In my view, there is an inextricable bond between information management and information quality management. This is illustrated best by looking at why we consider information management to be necessary. We have to deal with large amounts of data, which have to be accessible always and everywhere, created only once and distributed frequently, stored for reuse, and secured against abuse, but above all are meant for the creation of added value.
The crux lies in the last part: if data management does not lead to added value that is higher than the costs spended, we are actually wasting funds and manpower. And the added value of information is determined in particular by the quality of that information in the eyes of the information customers. That is why - from Total Quality Management - I see as best definition of information quality: "consistently meeting all information-customer's expectations."
