What are the Key Steps in Conducting a Data Audit?
Define Objectives: Clearly outline what you aim to achieve with the audit. This could include improving data accuracy, ensuring compliance, or identifying security risks. Data Inventory: Catalog all data sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and external data streams. Data Sampling: Select a representative sample of the data to audit, ensuring it covers all critical areas. Data Analysis: Use data analytics tools to examine the data for inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and anomalies. Reporting: Document the findings in a comprehensive report, highlighting any issues and providing recommendations for improvement. Implementation: Act on the audit findings by correcting errors and implementing measures to prevent future issues.