Deployment of a data catalog,
even in a data-light organization,
requires planning, investment and
integration with existing systems.
for each class of data. Data catalogs become a central point to ensure that all
data sets are classified, access is controlled, and a complete audit trail is avail-
able for the use of that data.
Data Licensing – Many data sets today are bought and sold, either in their
entirety or as components. The entitlements of these purchased data sets must
be tracked to ensure organizations limit access, are compliant with contracts
and to ensure proper payment is made for data access.
Deployment of a data catalog, even in a data-light organization, is a non-trivial
task that requires planning, investment and integration with existing systems.
The reward is a powerful tool to enable data-driven organizations to effectively
enforce policy, drive collaboration and ensure high quality data products are
available for decision making. Some best practices for deploying data catalogs
include:
Don't Boil the Ocean – The potential for any data catalog to enable an orga-
nization is never-ending. This can lead to confusion on deployment. Organiza-
tions should start with the core functions that are critical to enable the busi-
ness and show viability, then continue to iterate and add capabilities.
Decide When to Use Emerging Commercial Products – The commercial
products for deploying fully functional data catalogs are still emerging. Many
22 | THE DOPPLER | FALL 2017