Susan Walsh - Between the Spreadsheets: Classifying and Fixing Dirty Data

Praise for Between the Spreadsheets

Everyone talks about why data is important, but rarely do people bother to talk about how to make data useful, especially if it is dirty. Susan does just that by giving readers very clear and practical details on how to clean, structure, and classify data in a sustainable way. The lessons are clear and imbued with Susans wit and experience, which makes learning this complex topic fun. This should be a foundational text in all procurement training and university programs.

Dr Elouise Epstein,Partner at Kearney and author of Trade Wars, Pandemics, and Chaos

Only Susan could write a book like this! Dirty data is a problem facing every organisation and Susan takes you step by step through the process for fixing this in a pragmatic, straightforward and simple fashion, but more importantly she brings the subject to life. In this book she perfectly balances being informative with being engaging.

Caroline Carruthers,Chief Executive of Carruthers and Jackson and bestselling author

Garbage in is garbage out. The world is inundated with data, everyone wants a piece, but how do we make sure the data is usable? Susan Walsh is a leader in this space and has written a wonderful book all should read on dirty data and classifying it correctly. This is both for the preparer, the user, and everyone who is looking to take part in the data revolution.

Jordan Morrow,the Godfather of Data Literacy

Susans writing style is unique and effective at making the technical data quality topics highly enjoyable to consume. Her brilliant idea of data getting a COAT on is a powerful method for guiding readers through the steps required for protecting your data quality.

Kate Strachnyi,Founder of DATAcated

This book is a page turner. Susans unique style keeps you engaged and craving to learn more from the practical steps and examples she so carefully presents in this book. This is a must read for both business and data professionals who want to clean up their data and get more out of it.

George Firican, Founder of LightsOnData and data governance expert

Susan Walsh is a force of nature in the data business. She brightens any LinkedIn feed while broadcasting live from her Data Den in front of pink glittery streamers or posting crazy lip-sync videos. In Between the Spreadsheets, Susans vivacious humor and unstoppable spirit livens up an otherwise traditionally boring topic Data Quality. But inaccurate, inconsistent, untrustworthy data remains a serious problem that plagues literally every company. And Susan can help.

Whether you learn from her practical hands-on tips and tricks or her inspirational life story youre sure to leave with more than you came with (and knowing Susan, probably more than you bargained for!).

So grab a glass of Prosecco, don your Data COAT and slip Between The Spreadsheets to learn how to clean that dirty data of yours, once and for all!

Scott Taylor,The Data Whisperer

Between the
Spreadsheets

Every purchase of a Facet book helps to fund CILIPs advocacy, awareness and accreditation programmes for information professionals.

Between the
Spreadsheets

Classifying and Fixing Dirty Data

Susan Walsh

Susan Walsh 2021

Published by Facet Publishing
7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE
www.facetpublishing.co.uk

Facet Publishing is wholly owned by CILIP: the Library and Information Association.

The author has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as author of this work.

Except as otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, with the prior permission of the publisher, or, in the case of reprographic reproduction, in accordance with the terms of a licence issued by The Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to Facet Publishing, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE.

Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright material reproduced in this text, and thanks are due to them for permission to reproduce the material indicated. If there are any queries please contact the publisher.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-1-78330-503-2 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-78330-504-9 (PDF)
ISBN 978-1-78330-523-0 (EPUB)

First published 2021

Text printed on FSC accredited material.

Typeset from authors files in 10.5/13pt University Old Style and Myriad Pro by
Flagholme Publishing Services.
Printed and made in Great Britain by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY.

Contents

Figures

Tables

Acknowledgements

Firstly, I have to thank my dad, Bill, my biggest supporter, who has helped me through some really tough times without ever wavering in his support or love. And he still continues to give me advice, knowing that I probably wont take it. Love you lots.

Then theres my brother Will. Hes the voice of reason sitting on my shoulder asking is that wise? He and his wife Kristianne (and not forgetting Rocco the dog) have been great cheerleaders when things have been tough and I thank you all for that greatly. Love you guys.

And then theres my mum, Joan, whos no longer with us. She would have been so unbelievably proud and the whole of Dundee would have known about this book before it had even been written. But shed also be very disappointed Ive not been married off yet. I hope this makes up for it, Mum, miss you and love you loads.

Next, it has to be Vicki Connor. A straight-talking, no-nonsense coach who metaphorically pulled me off the road at the last minute before a truck of destruction hit. She never took advantage when I was down and did quite the opposite lifted me up higher than ever before. With her coaching, my mindset and self-belief has changed for the better and I dont think Id even have considered writing this book without her subconscious ninja mind tricks.

Followed closely behind is Michelle Henty and Helena Jannson West. My bestest friends in the whole world who have peeled me off the floor when things have been down, or off the ceiling when lifes been good. Your support has been invaluable and weve kept the Prosecco industry alive in the last few years. I look forward to sharing many more Proseccos with you both.

None of this would have been possible had it not been for a chat with Caroline Carruthers, who believed in me enough to introduce me to my now publisher, Peter Baker at Facet Publishing. You both saw the potential I knew was there and I thank you both for seeing that and embracing the crazy.

Then there are the book reviewers, the ones who gave honest and constructive feedback. Thank you so much Natalie, Kavita, Kirsty, Danielle, Kate, George, Michelle, Adriana and Edward.

To Ferdos, Sarah, Tracey and Tiff, my oldest friends thank you for being there, always.

Kay and Eric, youve been cheering me right on too, even though you have no idea what I do. The best kind of family.

The legend that is Scott Taylor, the Data Whisperer, cant go without recognition. He welcomed me into his group, showcased me to the world through The 12 Days of Data Management, and through him I got to know Kate Strachnyi and George Firican. Weve been firm friends ever since, despite the distance. Im so lucky to know you guys.