Reliable decisions need a common data language.
Shared definitions reduce the time spent reconciling competing accounts of reality before deciding what to do.
Why it matters
Shared definitions let teams investigate disagreements before they choose a response.
Find the competing definitions
Look for measures that change meaning across teams. Record the differences before deciding which definition supports each operating use.
Separate source from interpretation
Keep the original observation distinguishable from its calculation and interpretation. This makes disagreements easier to investigate and changes easier to govern.
Maintain the agreement
Definitions require ownership and review as the organization changes. Treat the data language as part of the operating model.
Operating implication
When teams report conflicting values, compare definitions and reporting periods before correcting calculations.
Related intelligence
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