DataBeginner 1 to 2 hours

Write a Data Dictionary

Document 15 columns in a messy database table with clear definitions and business rules.

The Scenario

A new analyst joins the team and asks: "What does the column `status_cd` mean? What are the valid values?" Nobody knows. The original developer left 3 years ago. You have been asked to write the data dictionary for the most important table.

The Brief

Invent a plausible 15-column customer orders table. Write a comprehensive data dictionary that a new team member could use to understand every column without asking anyone.

Deliverables

  • A table with columns: Column Name, Data Type, Description, Valid Values / Range, Nullable?, Business Rule
  • At least 3 columns with non-obvious business rules (e.g., "status_cd can only transition from P → A → C, never backwards")
  • One column that is commonly misunderstood and your note explaining the correct interpretation

Submission Guidance

A data dictionary is not a schema dump. It is documentation that prevents incorrect analysis. Every description should answer: "What does this mean for the business?"

Submit Your Work

Your submission is graded against the rubric on the right. If you pass, you get a public Badge URL you can share on LinkedIn. There is no draft save, so work offline first and paste your finished response here.

This appears on your public Badge.

0/20000 charactersMarkdown supported

One per line or comma separated. Up to 5 links.

By submitting, you agree your submission text, name, and evaluation will appear on a public Badge URL.