Poor data quality can hamper data integration projects and the development of new enterprise
applications from the outset. Despite careful initial planning, 83 percent of all data migration
projects over $1 million either overrun in time and cost, or fail outright (The Standish Group,
“Migrate Headaches,” February 1999). Although the increased or wasted cost of these projects is
signifi cant, it is often dwarfed by the loss in business value that occurs when the implementation
of a new business system or data warehouse is either delayed or cancelled. For business value
to be maximized, managers and planners of data migration projects must directly address the
underlying causes of these overruns and failures. They must not only ensure that their project is
completed on time, but also drive to accelerate business value by completing the project ahead of
schedule with high quality data as a foundation.