Modeling Data and Process Quality in Multi-Input, Multi-Output Information Systems

This paper presents a general model to assess the impact of data and process quality upon the outputs of multi-user information-decision systems. The data flow/data processing quality control model is designed to address several dimensions of data quality at the collection, input, processing and output stages. Starting from a data flow diagram of the type used in structured analysis, the model yields a representation of possible errors in multiple intermediate and final outputs in terms of input and process error functions. The model generates expressions for the possible magnitudes of errors in selected outputs. This is accomplished using a recursive-type algorithm which traces systematically the propagation and alteration of various errors. These error expressions can be used to analyze the impact that alternative quality control procedures would have on the selected outputs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the tractability of the model for various types of information systems as well as an application to a representative scenario.