6  Data Inventory Template

A data inventory table typically includes several attributes meant to capture relevant information about the data. Here are the attributes (columns) to be included in your data inventory table:

  1. Data Element: This attribute refers to the specific data element or field being recorded in the inventory. If the source is a dataset or a database, it corresponds to the column (aka, variable, measure, attribute) name.
  2. Description: This attribute provides a brief description of the data element, outlining its purpose or meaning.
  3. Data Type: This attribute specifies the type of data contained in the element. The options are: text, numeric, date, or categorical.
  4. Source Type: This attribute identifies the source or origin of the data, whether it is internal (generated within the UN), obtained from a third party, or collected through an OSAA survey.
  5. Source Access: Whether the source is public and free.
  6. Format: This attribute describes the format in which the data is stored, such as CSV, spreadsheet, database, PDF, or text file.
  7. Location: This attribute specifies the URL location where the data is accessible.
  8. Data Frequency: This attribute indicates how frequently the data is updated, whether it is weekly, monthly, annually, or as needed.
  9. Visual (optional): What is the intended graph to visualize this data element?
  10. Visual Goal (optional): What type of data relationship will this data element be used for?
  11. Visual Title (optional): What would be the title of the graph? (this would be equivalent to the smart indicator name: the Specific Measurable Time-bound Indicator)