If your organisation wants to truly unlock the value of its data, the first step is understanding it. That means knowing what data you have, and who’s responsible for it. A Data Catalogue brings all of this together in one central place, acting as a single source of truth that helps teams find, and use data more effectively.
Whether you’re trying to improve data quality, or make better use of analytics and innovation, a Data Catalogue can be a game changer. It removes confusion, saves time, and helps teams work more confidently with data. But with so many tools on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
What is a Data Catalogue?
A Data Catalogue is a centralised repository of information about the data in an organisation, like its definition, format, location, source, quality, usage, and who is responsible for that data from a business and technical standpoint. This information is also known as metadata.
Metadata can be used by teams to quickly find, explore, and understand data. It sounds so obvious, but it’s often overlooked – we’ve worked with organisations where for example, two different definitions of “customer” have caused endless confusion and wasted time.
This guide draws on real experience to help organisations navigate that choice. It explains what a Data Catalogue is, why it matters, and the practical benefits it can bring. It also explores the key features to look for, such as strong search capabilities, system integration, collaboration tools, and scalability and security.
Crucially, the article goes beyond product features. It walks you through common pitfalls, like turning a catalogue into a metadata “dumping ground”, and shows how careful planning and adoption can avoid this.
Choosing a Data Catalogue isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a strategic one. Done well, it can transform how your organisation understands and uses data.
Download the guide for an inside view of our approach to successful Data Catalogue procurement.
