Algorythm+/Intro to Data Stewardship: Stop Cleaning Data, Start Owning It

We open with a simple truth: It costs $1 to verify a record when you enter it. It costs $10 to fix it later in the database. It costs $100 to fix it after a customer screams at you.

The Problem: Sales says "Revenue" is booked orders. Finance says "Revenue" is paid invoices. Both are right; both are wrong.

The Fix: We introduce the Business Glossary. A Steward ensures everyone agrees on what the words actually mean before the meeting starts.

The Problem: "Garbage In, Garbage Out." If you enter "TBD" in a mandatory date field just to bypass the system, you break the analytics for everyone downstream.

The Fix: The Community Garden Metaphor. IT builds the fence, but you (the business) have to W**d the carrots. If you throw trash in the garden, we all starve.

The Problem: Everyone assumes "IT will fix it." IT assumes "The Business knows what they are doing." Result? No one fixes it.

The Fix: The "Owner" Mindset. You don't need to know SQL code to raise a flag. We teach you how to report "dirty data" effectively so it actually gets cleaned.

Attendees leave with the "Friday Freedom Protocol"—3 habits to adopt immediately:

1. Check your inputs: Spend 5 extra seconds on entry to save 5 hours on reporting.
2. Standardize your tags: Agree on naming conventions with your immediate team.
3. Designate a Sheriff: Rotate who checks the team's data quality each month.

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