A data dictionary is a centralised repository which holds information about data, mainly to be used for the purpose of information resource management. It is a list of key terms and metrics with definitions – a business glossary. The main reason companies use data dictionaries is to document and share data structures and other information for all involved with a project or database. Using a shared dictionary ensures the same quality, meaning, and relevance for all data elements for all team members. The future of the data dictionary is to combine it with data preparation to save teams time and resources and to make a project consistent across the board. According to Forrester Research, only 14% of business stakeholders make thorough use of customer insights because most companies don’t have access to their data; a data dictionary solves this problem.
