Critical Data Element (CDE)

Definition:

A data element that is aligned to a critical business element and is deemed materially important.

Commentary:

The criticality is a requirement of the business process and thus is assigned to the business element. A data element is not critical unless it is designated as a component of a critical business element. Risk associated with this business element can be categorized based on adverse impact without adequate controls.

Criticality is proposed by either the business that produces the data in their business process or by a consumer of the data. Criticality is approved as part of the data governance process.

Per enterprise data management policy the critical designation results in requirements for escalated data quality controls and recorded evidence in the metadata for both the business element and the data element.

Some organizations use critical and key as synonyms of each other while other organizations view criticality as a higher priority than key.