Data Management Committee
Metadata and Definitions Project
Overview
In order to effectively use the information in our enterprise systems, data analysts and programmers must share with university managers and leaders a common understanding of what our data means. Metadata, or data about data, facilitates the understanding of our information infrastructure.
Project
The goal of the Metadata and Definitions Project, led by the Data Management Committee, is to develop and provide access to a central, official repository of definitions about enterprise data and parameters for enterprise reporting, as well as a query library for use by analysts both centrally and in academic units. These definitions are the foundation of enterprise reports and data sets.
The metadata project is founded on the use of templates to provide accurate, consistent, and reusable resources for analysts, developers, and other individuals providing access to enterprise data and reports.
This project is currently implemented in the Central Administration Wiki. For additional information, contact Brandon Whitehead (whitehbr@u.washington.edu).
- Metadata Wiki (Confluence, controlled access)
Core Data Definitions and Sources
This is a collection of metadata resources as they currently exist at the University of Washington. This list is not exhaustive.
Financial Metadata- Financial Desktop Initiative Glossary
- Best for individual field definitions
- Universal Access
- Student Data Dictionary
- Table and field definitions
- Universal Access
- Technical table/field definitions and related business definitions
- Limited UWNetID access
- Contact Brandon Whitehead (whitehbr@u.washington.edu) for access.
Other metadata sources:
- OPUS (Online Payroll Update System) Glossary
- UW Employee Leave Glossary
- FAS Data Dictionary
- PAS/FAS Data Dictionary
- Grant and Contract Glossary
- Planning and Budgeting Glossary
- FAST Downloading/BAR Report Download Data Dictionary (1)
- FAST Downloading/BAR Report Download Data Dictionary (2)
- Purchasing and Stores Glossary
- Planning and Budgeting Database
- UW Factbook Glossary
- UW Technology Training Glossary
- UW Technology Help Glossary
- Facilities and Administrative Costs Glossary
- Compensation Glossary
- Nebula Glossary
- Office of Development and Alumni Relations Glossary
- Student Guide Keys and Glossary
- Student Loan Glossary
- UW Budget Glossary
- UW Tacoma Office of Student Affairs Glossary
- UW Tacoma Graduate Glossary
- Undergraduate Academic Affairs Advising Glossary