A Common Data Dictionary (CDD) is a centralised repository that defines and standardises the meaning, format, and usage of data across systems to ensure consistency and clarity.
Key Features of a Common Data Dictionary:
- Data standardisation: Ensures uniform definitions.
- Centralised repository: Stores metadata in one place.
- Data consistency: Reduces discrepancies.
- Improved communication: Facilitates shared understanding.
- Etc.
Challenge: Non-standardised data definitions
The lack of standardisation of data definitions has the following main consequences:
- Redundant data collection: The same data is collected multiple times in different systems. This leads to a poor utilisation of resources.
- Unnecessary Data Processing: As some of the properties are named differently, some transformation will be needed before they can be integrated. This also leads to poor resource utilisation.
Solution: Standardised data definitions with the CDD
Standardizing data definitions with the CDD can have the following benefits:
- Data collected and managed once: The common data is collected once and managed from only one location (database). This leads to better resource utilisation
- No data processing required: As the common properties are defined once, there is no longer any need to perform any transformation. In the above image, the citizenID is used to link the citizen to the Employee and Patient data, making the integration easier. This also leads to better resource utilisation.