Data Dictionary

A centralized repository
Mario D. Wallace

Todays Agenda

Break up into 2 Groups of 3; Designate one scribe per group

15 minutes Components of a Data Dictionary (Flash Card)

20 minutes Complete a Data Dictionary entry (Build one of

your strategic objectives)

15 minute break

15 minutes Cascading Activity (Whiteboard)

15 minutes Communication Matrix (Whiteboard)

Learning Goals
At the end of the training, you will be able to:
Explain how the Data Dictionary relates to the Strategy
Map
Name the components of the Data Dictionary
Discriminate the components of a Data Dictionary
Demonstrate knowledge of the components of a Data
Dictionary
Cascade strategic objectives of a Balanced Scorecard
Demonstrate knowledge of a Communication Matrix

Balanced Scorecard Explained

A Data Dictionary is a(n) _____________.

A. Cause

and Effect Diagram

B. A

centralized repository of information

about data such as meaning,
relationships to other data, origin,
usage

C. Key

Performance Indicator (KPI)

D. None

of the above

Ice Breaker

How does a Data Dictionary relate to a

Strategy Map?
A strategy map is a
diagram that is used to
document the primary
strategic goals being
pursued by an
organization.
A Data Dictionary is a
centralized repository of
information about data
such as meaning,
relationships to other
data, origin, usage, and
format

How does the Data Dictionary relates to

a Strategy Map?
A. Its

a repository that serves as a building block for

each objective on a Strategy Map
B. It focusses solely on a Balanced Scorecard's
initiatives
C. Its a tool for a mission statement
D. None of the above

Components of a Data Dictionary

Data Dictionary is a
centralized repository of
information about data such
as meaning, relationships to
other data, origin, usage, and
1. Strategy
format
2. Objective
3. Description
4. Initiative
5. Frequency
6. Unit type
7. Formula
8. Data Collector
9. Baseline
10. Data Source
11. Performance Measure
12. Target
13. Target Rationale
Refer to Handout

Objectives
Objectives are brief verb-noun statements that describe a specific goal of your
strategic plan. Objectives are more likely to span multiple years, as long as they
still reflect your most recent strategic plan and SWOT Analysis (a review of your
current Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). Examples are
"Improve customer satisfaction" or "Reduce costs in manufacturing."

Performance Measures
Performance measures quantitatively tell us something important
about our products, services, and the processes that produce them.
Performance measures can be represented by hours, meters, dollars,
number of reports, number of errors, number of CPR-certified
employees, length of time to design hardware, etc.

Performance Measures
Performance Measurement is a process by which an organization
objectively assesses and evaluates the extent to which it is
accomplishing a specific objective

Why do we need PM?

Enables decision making

Manage by results

Promote accountability

Distinguish between program success and failure

Provide means of performance comparison

Fulfill mandates

What are the rules of PM?

You should have at least one measurement for an objective

Measurements define or explain objectives in quantifiable

terms for each objective

Measurements should drive change and encourage the right

behavior

Should be able to influence the outcome

Examples of Performance Measures

Baselines
A baseline is a minimum or starting point for comparison. A baseline is used
as a foundation for measuring or comparing current and past values. A
baseline is an initial value that can be used to compare past, current and
projected future values.

What are Baselines?

How to establish
Baselines?

Past performance historical data

Past
performance
benchmarked
data
Measure
historical
data in averages

Measure benchmarked data in averages

Examples of Baselines

Targets
Targets are KPIs that express performance objectives. Targets
compare the baseline measure to judge if performance is where it
should be.

Targets
Targets are KPIs that express performance objectives. Targets
compare the baseline measure to judge if performance is where it
should be.

Target Checklist

How to establish Targets?

Targets match up with measurements, one to one.

Past performance trends per historical data.

Targets require improving current levels of performance.

Performance levels of similar organizational units at a

comparable level that facilitates benchmarking.

Targets are a stretch, but achievable: they may require

improvements to existing processes.

For newly launched services, may have to establish a baseline

per a prototype test and extend out from this point forward.

Targets are quantifiable so that the target communicates if the

expected performance was met.

Examples of Targets

Initiatives
Initiatives have defined start and end dates (typically less than one year)
and dedicated resources (people, budget, time).Examples of initiatives are
"Implement customer retention program" and "Analyze cause of defect
rates."
Leader Sponsored

Requires Investments people, funding, technology, etc.

Has designated owners

Includes deliverables or milestones

Usually has time deadlines

May be difficult to launch not resourced

Could encounter obstacles people are confused, conflicts

with other functions

A Performance Measure can be

represented by hours?
A. True
B. False

A Baseline is measures the performance

of an objective?
A. True
B. False

A Target is a is a starting point for

comparison?
A. True
B. False

Components of Data Dictionary Activity

Flash Card
Group Activity

15 minutes Components of a Data Dictionary (Flash Card)

Data Dictionary Activity

20 minutes - Complete a Data Dictionary entry (Build one of your

strategic objectives)

Cascading Strategic Objectives

Cascading a Balanced Scorecard mean to translate the organization
scorecard down to first business units, support units, and to teams or
individuals or to link objectives from one scorecard to others.

Cascading Strategic Objectives

Cascading is translating the strategic focus

across all levels of the organization?
A. True
B. False

Cascading Strategic Objectives

Whiteboard Activity

15 minutes Cascading Activity

(Whiteboard)

Communication Matrix

Communicate the Strat

egy

Communication Matrix

Communication Matrix Activity

Whiteboard Activity

15 minutes Communication Matrix

(Whiteboard)

What questions do you

have?