Business Glossary and Data Standards
The common language that stops marketing, sales, and finance each defining "active customer" their own way — with naming conventions and a reference data guide.
What's included
- Excel with the glossary structure (term, definition, owner, source system, examples) and 20 common business terms already defined as examples
- PDF guide to naming conventions for tables, fields, and metrics
- Reference data management template (country codes, currency, product categories)
- Legal Notice
Why this document exists
Before discussing data quality, roles, or compliance, "active customer" needs to mean the same thing to everyone. It's the quietest problem in data governance: nobody openly argues that a glossary is missing — each team just keeps defining its own metrics until two reports show different numbers for what should be the same figure. This template starts from already-drafted examples, so defining your first 20-30 critical terms is a couple of working sessions, not a months-long project.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a business glossary and a technical data dictionary?
A technical dictionary documents fields and data types in a specific system; a business glossary defines what each term means so every department uses the same definition, regardless of system.
Do we really need a glossary as a small company?
The cost of not having one shows up fast: sales and marketing counting "customers" by different criteria, or two reports showing different numbers for the same metric. The earlier you fix the common language, the less you have to unwind later.
Does this replace legal advice?
No. It's a working template that organizes and speeds up implementation, but it doesn't constitute legal, technical, or professional advice of any kind — see the included Legal Notice.
What format is it delivered in?
Excel with the glossary structure and pre-filled examples, PDF guide to naming conventions, and the Legal Notice.