Review By: Tilmann Bruckhaus, Ph.D.
10/19/2002

The author presents a comprehensive approach to managing information quality. The book is organized into three parts: Principles of Information Quality Improvement, Processes for Improving Information Quality, and Establishing the Information Quality Environment. In part one, the author lays the foundation for managing information quality. He argues that the state of information quality management today is unsatisfactory and that investing in information quality improvement will lead businesses to increased profitability. What follows is an introduction to key concepts, such as “quality,” “data,” “information,” and “knowledge.” Part one concludes with an overview of quality management methods, and a discussion of how they apply to information quality management.

Part two introduces processes for improving information quality. Seven chapters deal with an overview of the process, Total Quality data Management (TDdM), and its main process steps: assessing data definition and information architecture quality; information quality assessment; measuring nonquality information costs; information product improvement; data reengineering and cleansing; improving information process quality: data defect prevention; and information quality tools and techniques.

Part three then discusses how to establish an information quality environment in an organization. The author reviews Deming’s Fourteen Points of Quality and relates them to information quality, and introduces and clarifies the concept of information stewardship. What follows is an overview of twenty steps for implementing an information quality environment. The book concludes with “a summary and celebration of the tremendous benefits” of Total Quality data Management.

In about 500 pages this book covers a lot of ground, from the basics to process steps, metrics, organizational considerations, and tools and techniques. English argues why the topic is important and provides numerous examples that drive home the point that information quality is generally unsatisfactory. He goes on to propose a comprehensive method for improving information quality. This approach is based on thorough knowledge of quality management concepts.

The book is very readable and does not require deep background knowledge in any technical field. A good basic knowledge of information systems management is sufficient to read this book.

Readers who already believe that information quality requires attention and systematic improvement efforts will want to skip the first part (Principles of Information Quality Improvement). The author argues why information quality management deserves more attention and investment. In fact, readers who are not already believers may not be converted by English’s arguments because they are based on general principles (such as poor quality is more expensive than high quality because poor quality requires rework). English does not provide or reference case studies or quantitative analyses. Because of this weakness, the first part of the book is of somewhat lesser value compared to the other two parts.

The Total Quality data Management (TQdM) method is described in great detail, covering many different aspects of the process. The overall process is explained first, followed by a breakdown of its main process steps. Included in the description of each step are explanations of key concepts, an overview of the substeps, the inputs, outputs, and tools and techniques, the process definition (which ties the substeps together), tips, flow diagrams, checklists, and examples.

Overall, this book has the potential to become a classic of quality management in the age of information warehousing. This work is relevant for professionals who plan, design, implement, or manage data warehouses. It is especially relevant in environments where information quality is mission-critical or even life-critical.