Datagrunderna

Datagrunderna is a term used in Swedish data management to denote the foundational data assets and the data layer that underpins information systems, analytics, and decision making. It encompasses the conceptual basis for data work as well as the concrete datasets and structures that organisations rely on for consistent interpretation and use of data.

Core components typically included are canonical data models, master data and reference data, metadata management, data quality controls, data lineage, and data security and privacy policies. Infrastructure elements such as data storage architectures (data warehouses, data lakes, data marts), data pipelines, and data catalogs are part of the datagrunderna to ensure accessible, governed data.

The purpose is to establish a single source of truth, reduce data silos, and increase trust in data-driven insights. Datagrunderna supports governance, regulatory compliance, and efficient data integration for analytics, reporting, and AI. Implementation usually involves documenting data definitions, standardizing models, cataloguing assets, and assigning governance roles and processes.

In practice, datagrunderna aligns with broader data architecture and management efforts and is often described in a data strategy or architecture document. Common challenges include keeping definitions current, managing change, maintaining data quality, and ensuring cross-system consistency. The scope varies by organisation but aims to cover essential data assets and their management enterprise-wide.