Assessment (Data Sources)

Owned by Mike Deskis
May 19, 2023
2 min read

To identify data sources in data readiness, several key assessments need to be performed. These assessments help evaluate the suitability, quality, and compatibility of potential data sources. Here are the key assessments to perform:

  • Relevance Assessment: Assess the relevance of each potential data source to the organization's business requirements and use cases. Evaluate whether the data source provides the specific types of data needed to address the organization's data needs and goals.

  • Quality Assessment: Evaluate the quality of data in each potential data source. Assess factors such as data accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness. Consider the data's reliability and trustworthiness, as well as any data governance practices and data quality controls implemented by the source.

  • Integration Assessment: Assess the technical feasibility of integrating data from each potential source into the organization's data ecosystem. Evaluate factors such as data formats, data structures, APIs, data transfer methods, and data integration complexity. Determine if the integration can be achieved efficiently and effectively.

  • Security and Privacy Assessment: Evaluate the security and privacy implications of each potential data source. Assess data protection measures, security controls, and privacy policies implemented by the data source. Ensure that the source aligns with the organization's data security and privacy requirements and complies with relevant regulations.

  • Availability Assessment: Evaluate the availability and accessibility of data from each potential source. Assess the data source's reliability in terms of uptime, availability of data in real-time or near-real-time, and any limitations or restrictions on data access.

  • Cost Assessment: Consider the cost implications associated with each data source. Assess factors such as data licensing fees, subscription costs, data acquisition costs, and ongoing maintenance expenses. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each data source in relation to its value and benefits.

  • Scalability Assessment: Assess the scalability of each potential data source to handle future data growth and increasing data volumes. Consider the data source's ability to accommodate expanding data needs and its performance capabilities under larger data loads.

  • Vendor Assessment (for external sources): If considering external data sources, conduct a vendor assessment. Evaluate the reputation, reliability, and track record of the data source provider. Consider customer reviews, testimonials, and references to assess the vendor's credibility.

By performing these assessments, organizations can systematically evaluate potential data sources and make informed decisions about which sources align best with their requirements. These assessments ensure that the chosen data sources are relevant, of high quality, compatible with existing systems, secure, accessible, cost-effective, and scalable.