The first step to building a data dictionary is to determine which of your data sources needs a data dictionary and whether the elements have been identified.

Work with your peers to develop one or more critical questions that should be answered by the data. Consider any federal, state, or local reporting requirements to help with determining the needs.

Build a Connection to define the elements, selection criteria, and computational requirements for each pre-determined critical question. If you are interested in answering multiple critical questions with a single data source, use the Select Connections See Elements report to create a master list of elements across all of your Connections.

When you have a master list of elements to be included in your data dictionary, gather metadata about the elements in the system, including:

• Location in the Data Source (system, database, table, etc.)
• Element Name and Identifier
• Definition
• Option Set and Option Set Definitions
• Element Length
• Element Data Type

The more information you have, the more robust the data dictionary will be. Note: Only Element Name is required.

If you don’t have a definition and/or option set for an element, you can explore CEDS to get started.

• CEDS elements have definitions and option sets available for you to adopt.
• View the definitions and option sets from your peers by viewing their maps. Select the elements that interest you to find others who also collect that data by running an element-based report and/or you can find the Align maps you are interested in by running a map-based report.

The CEDS tool, Align, is a data dictionary/metadata management tool. Create a map in Align, upload the metadata information about the data source’s elements, and align the elements to CEDS.

Sharing the Data Dictionary means others have the ability to see the metadata for your data source. You can share with users of your choosing or with all CEDS users. To share a map, access your map via Manage Maps in Align. In the map’s menu, select Using the Map > Share Map.

Below are additional CEDS resources that may be helpful.

• The Mapping Toolkit provides resources to help with mapping your data source to CEDS.
• The Status of State Data Dictionaries. This white paper explains the importance of a data dictionary.
• Access white papers, briefs, and other resources for how others have used Align.
• Request a demo.