Companies big and small rely on a treasure trove of data to oversee operations and keep things running smoothly. But few have the resources to manage existing and newly created data effectively and to its full potential.

Data dictionaries solve that challenge, ushering in a new era of productivity and efficiency.

What is a Data Dictionary?

A data dictionary is a centralized repository of information about the data in massive datasets. Dictionaries can detail crucial information like source, meaning, relationship and more. It makes sense of the otherwise confusing datasets, improving accessibility and helping your team work more efficiently.

Why You Need a Data Dictionary

Many types of dictionaries are available, and the use cases can benefit many industries. While every dictionary is unique to the company using it, they provide several universal perks.

Easy Documentation

Documentation can be one of the most resource-heavy aspects of dealing with complex datasets. Typically, it requires manual intervention. Many companies have teams to document data for other departments and programs.

A well-built data dictionary eliminated manual processes. It automates documentation, freeing your resource and releasing teams to focus their efforts on other endeavors. It saves time, money and leads to better results.

Straightforward Accessibility

What is a data dictionary if not an accessible storehouse? Proper documentation is only half the battle. With multiple teams requiring access to data at any given moment, easy access should always be a top priority.

With a data dictionary, your teams can find what they need in seconds. Data becomes instantly searchable. With some platforms, there's also the option to send data questions and requests, making it even easier for everyone to access what they need.

Simplified Presentation

Data dictionaries utilize metadata to create a simple and easy-to-understand structure. Features like metric mapping make it easy to grasp data definitions. Meanwhile, key metrics provide insight into how teams use that data, what its relationship to other information means for you and more.

Efficient Data Management

Finally, data dictionaries take the headache out of data management. It automatically reduces data redundancy, uses metadata for improved integrity and provides features for easy reporting.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes about the best data catalog tools and data analysis softwares. You can find her thoughts at data discovery blog.