Data documentation, or data model documentation, is the process of cataloging and describing to make it easier to find, use, and manage. Data documentation ensures that data can be retrieved and used by any stakeholder, as it involves explaining what data means, how it’s structured, and what the contents contain. Data documentation is therefore also critical to establishing a data governance foundation.

A business glossary is a tool used to define the meanings of unique business terms, which means that business glossaries vary widely from industry to industry and from organization to organization. A data catalog is also a means of organizing data, but rather than a glossary of terms, it’s a single reference source for the location of various data assets. Data catalogs help users find the data they’re looking for, while business glossaries help users understand the data.

Creating a business glossary is often a key component of a data governance program. The business glossary is used to demonstrate that an organization has a central understanding of key business concepts and terms and the relationships between them. What’s more, a business glossary can be used to demonstrate adherence to industry and government regulations.

A data dictionary is an organized collection of names, definitions, and attributes that are being captured in a data asset. A data dictionary describes the meaning and purpose of various data elements, providing a single source of truth for a project’s accepted meanings and representation, helping an organization adhere to set data standards.