1. Directory Rollout Issues and Strategies Data Issues and Strategies Michael J. Lewis Chevron Information Technology Company Houston, Texas April 29, 1998

2. Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies2 Agenda Required data Data sources Quality of data Multiple sources Feeds and Update

3. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies3 Required Data Issue: Determine what data is required Strategy: –Set project context Document current directory environment Gather customer requirements Prioritize problems to address Set direction/vision/project plan –Select data to meet project objectives

4. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies4 What is a directory/meta-directory? Issue: Getting customer input is difficult because end-users/management simply don’t know –Exposed only to most trivial examples of directories –“meta” means different things to different people Strategy: –Develop good definitions and educate –Generate business examples and communicate

5. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies5 Data Sources Issue: Directory population methods have own issues –User input: Getting users to enter data –Existing data sources: Locating appropriate sources Strategy: –Provide incentives to encourage full user data entry –Talk to data owners to “know” your data sources

6. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies6 Process to “know” your data sources Identify “important” data sources (HR, phone book) Conduct interviews with current directory support –Data contained within –Feeds into the database –Feeds out of the database Loop back if “new” data sources are revealed

7. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies7 Quality of Data (1) Issues: –Multiple sources Pieces of an entry from different sources Same data field from different sources –Inconsistent/different formats (field and record) –Inaccurate –Quirks (and other weird stuff)

8. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies8 Quality of Data (2) Strategy 1: Locate Inconsistencies –Look at actual data –Employ data experts Strategy 2: Correct Inconsistencies –Correct errors within sources –Look for “better” sources –Rework schema to match data

9. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies9 Multiple sources Issue: Multiple input sources require key to match records Strategy: –Use combination of existing keys –Insert key in data sources

10. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies10 Feeds and Update Issue: Which of the following is the best means to feed data from existing sources into the directory –Continuous –Single load (directory absorbs source) Strategy - balance objectives versus difficulty

11. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies11 Objectives versus Difficulties Single load may not be possible

12. April 29, 1998Directory Rollout Issues & Strategies12 Summary Issue- Strategy Required Data-Set context Data sources- Interview owners Quality of data- Examine your data Multiple sources- Insert keys Feeds and Update-Objectives/difficulty For further information - hosmjl@chevron.com