In the world of academia, different disciplines have their own unique vocabularies. A physicist’s description of photosynthesis would differ significantly from that of a chemist or a botanist.

When scientists work in isolation, these linguistic differences pose minimal challenges.

However, when it comes to collaborative efforts, such as the monumental Manhattan Project aimed at creating the atomic bomb, the need to align diverse teams becomes paramount.

Imagine the complexities faced by multifunctional teams in large-scale ventures. A plethora of skilled individuals, each employing their own terminology and approaches, must be synchronized to ensure successful outcomes. The key lies in maintaining a shared understanding and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Business users use different vocabularies

Similarly, within the realm of business, different stakeholders operate with distinct vocabularies and perspectives.

A debtor may be viewed as a prospect by the marketing team or as a customer by the sales department, while the finance team perceives them differently.

When these conflicting terminologies infiltrate information systems, they give rise to ambiguity, inconsistency, and failure in business processes.

In the worst-case scenario, they can even ignite conflicts between departments, reminiscent of the biblical Tower of Babel, resulting in data failures across various areas.

Goal of a business glossary

Enter the business glossary—an indispensable component of any comprehensive data governance strategy.

Its primary objective is to ensure clarity, just like the scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, where everyone comprehended how information was being utilized in their specific environments and beyond.

How does a business glossary add value?

In order to add value a business glossary must achieve 3 clear objectives:

1. Visible Impact: The glossary must be easily accessible to everyday users of common applications, like MS Office, facilitating consistent usage of accurate terminology. If the glossary remains inaccessible to staff members or fails to be shared effectively, its potential impact diminishes.
2. User-Friendly Approach: It is essential for business users to effortlessly capture and track changes to terminology commonly employed in their respective areas. After all, if those who use the terms cannot document them, the likelihood of their documentation by someone else decreases significantly.
3. Contextual Relevance: A simple dictionary of terms is insufficient. The glossary should be contextualized, enabling users to discern discrepancies between terminologies used in different business domains. Moreover, it should be linked to related information assets, such as data models, audit trails, and reports, to facilitate the identification of data utilization and dependencies.

When these three goals are accomplished, the business glossary transcends from being a mere academic tool to becoming a valuable information asset that elevates the overall value of data within your company.

Success lies in unlocking the power of language, streamlining communication, and fostering collaboration across the organization. By implementing a robust business glossary, you pave the way for enhanced data quality, improved decision-making, and ultimately, success in the dynamic business landscape