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Question: What is the difference between Data Quality and DataOps Observability?

Data Quality and Data/Ops Observability … what is the difference? Here we share a financial analogy.

Written by Chris Bergh on February 19, 2023

Data ObservabilityDataOps Observability

What is the difference between Data Quality and DataOps Observability?

Data Quality is static. It is the measure of data sets at any point in time.

Data Observability is dynamic — it is the testing of data, integrated data, and tools acting upon data — as it is processed — that checks for flow rates and data errors.

NOTE

A financial analogy: Data Quality is your Balance Sheet, Data Observability is your Cash Flow Statement

Crafting your data observations into a singular Data Journey that integrates all tools, tech, data, and results in a single view .. that is DataOps Observability.

NOTE

Another financial analogy: DataOps Observability is like a Profit and Loss Statement for your data business.

How is DataOps Observability different from Data Observability?

Data Observability tools test data in the database. While this is a fine thing, DataKitchen has been promoting the idea of tests for many years (and in our DataOps Automation Product!). You need to correlate that information with other critical elements of the data journey – where a fundamental understanding is required.

Chris Bergh

Chris Bergh

CEO and Head Chef at DataKitchen. He is a leader of the DataOps movement and is the co-author of the DataOps Cookbook and the DataOps Manifesto.

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