Kerndossiers

Kerndossiers is a term in data governance referring to the central, authoritative dataset that aggregates essential information about an entity—usually a person, organization, or project. It serves as the core reference file used to drive operations, analytics, and decision-making. The term combines Kern (core) with dossiers (files) and is used in some European organizations to emphasize a foundational data construct.

Typical contents include unique identifiers, core attributes, historical interactions, relationships to other entities, and access controls. A Kerndossier may also contain data lineage, data quality indicators, and version history to support traceability and governance. The exact schema varies by domain but aims at providing a stable, interoperable core.

Governance assigns ownership, custodianship, and stewardship roles, along with defined creation, update, and retention processes. Access is controlled through role-based permissions and auditing. Data quality processes, validation rules, and standardization help ensure consistency across systems.

Common applications include customer relationship management, citizen services, project portfolios, and research cohorts, where a single core file supports multiple workflows. Kerndossiers enable unified reporting and cross-system analytics by serving as a canonical source.

Privacy, ethics, and compliance considerations are central. Organizations must minimize data collection, enforce consent where applicable, and implement data protection measures. The approach also raises concerns about centralization and potential single points of failure, necessitating robust security and backup strategies.

See also: Dossier, Master data management, Data governance, Data lineage, Privacy by design, Interoperability.