datagrunnlag

Datagrunnlag is a term used in Norwegian organizational contexts to describe the underlying collection of data that supports analysis, reporting and decision making. It includes data sources, data elements, and the rules and processes used to collect, store and validate data. A datagrunnlag aims to provide a coherent and trustworthy basis for assessments, planning and performance measurement.

A good datagrunnlag is characterized by metadata that describes data origin, definitions, quality and how data is transformed. Key quality attributes include timeliness, completeness, accuracy, consistency and traceability. The data should be collected and stored in a way that makes it possible to reproduce results and understand how data elements relate to each other.

Data governance is central to maintaining a reliable datagrunnlag. This includes clearly defined roles such as data owners and data stewards, data quality controls, data lineage documentation, access controls, and privacy compliance. Standards for data formats and metadata, as well as procedures for validation and cleansing, help ensure reliability.

Common sources of datagrunnlag include internal administrative systems, registers, surveys and external data sets. Often, several sources are integrated to create a unified view that supports analysis, reporting, planning, budgeting or statistics.

Challenges in managing datagrunnlag include fragmentation across systems, inconsistent definitions, duplicate records, incomplete data, and privacy considerations. Best practices emphasize formal governance, standardized data models and metadata, periodic data quality checks, data cleansing, and secure storage and access.