Governments often rely on data to develop policies, improve services, and address social issues. But how can we be sure that the data we use for this purpose is reliable? A new report by the Scientific Research and Data Centre (WODC) emphasises the importance of data lineage in fostering trust in government data.
What is Data Lineage?
Data lineage quite literally refers to the ‘lineage of data’. It involves mapping the complete journey of data: from the point of its collection (for example, via a form) to its processing, editing, and final application in dashboards or reports.
With data lineage, you can track:
- Where the data originated
- Which edits or transformations were applied
- Which systems or reports the data ultimately end up in
Why is this important for the government?
Data lineage helps identify errors early on, assess risks, and foster trust in policy information, both within the organisation and externally. The WODC emphasises that data lineage is not just a technical tool; it represents a significant step toward the professionalisation of data management within the government.
For the full press release, please visit the WODC’s website, where you can also find the full (English language) report.
