Andrea,
I have taken the (some say dangerous) path of not doing a data audit.
I did a pilot audit in one (big) directorate and got back around 65% of the forms I sent out, after several 'cahses'. The ones I got back (over 100) were so diverse in their responses, I found it impossible to derive anything of value from them - though I admit form design may have contributed to this, it was not totally responsible. I looked at redesigning the form and reissuing but ended up taking the decision that it was inappropriate.
The road I now travel is that I have a list of 'major data sets' held by the council (compiled by someone else), I ask questions, visit departments, etc, etc to learn what i can about their work/type of info held/what they do with it. Basically, however, I take the stance that they (the directorates / my DP liaison representatives) know what they have. As long as I know the sort of subject matter (housing, soc servs, whatever) it should be possible to direct the query whatever it is and have them track the info down. No useful purpose is served by my compiling (were it possible) and maintaining a list of my own.
There's my penneth.
Dave U
South Gloucs Council
>>> Andrea Owen <[log in to unmask]> 15/03/2001 13:09:28 >>>
Has anyone had any experience of trying to audit existing information? I am trying to advise, realistically, how certain departments should act in order to comply with the code, but am faced with the fact that some departments have in the range of 1 million personal records to potentially check through.
??
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