Common Controlled Vocabulary

urn:js:virtue:aspire:principle:2.1

TL;DR

All technical and business users must have a common understanding of the various terms and their usage.

Rational

All technical and business users must have a common understanding of the various terms and their usage. These terms must be unique and have an unambiguous, non-redundant definition that is managed centrally by a controlled vocabulary registration authority.

Note: The common controlled vocabulary is categorised as a data provision principle. However, its scope encompasses the entire process from inbound data feed through to consumption by the end user. In addition, this principle applies across the whole of the Sainsbury’s.

The key drivers are:

• Eliminate inconsistencies – Having a common understanding of the various terms and their usage will eliminate inconsistencies and misunderstanding between the various user groups.
• Efficient communication & data exchange – Having a common understanding will facilitate effective communication between users as well as expediting data exchange between systems.
• Single version of the truth – Having a common understanding of the various terms and their usage will promote a “single version of the truth”.
  The potential implication are:
• Enterprise wide alignment – Everyone across the enterprise needs to buy into the concept of a common controlled vocabulary and the value that it brings.
• Upfront effort – To establish a common controlled vocabulary, a significant initial investment will be required to collate and agree the various terms and their usage across the enterprise. Maintenance and governance – To ensure that the common controlled vocabulary remains up to date and is used correctly, processes need to be set up and resources allocated for the ongoing maintenance and governance.

Implications

None.