# Introduction to Data Quality

> Get started with data quality fundamentals and learn how DQS helps you measure and improve your Salesforce data.

Source: https://dataqualitysense.com/resources/getting-started/introduction/
Last updated: 2026-02-25

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## What You'll Learn

This guide covers the fundamentals of data quality and introduces Data Quality Sense (DQS), a Salesforce-native application that measures your data health.

By the end, you will understand:
- What data quality means and why it matters
- The five dimensions DQS measures
- How to get started with your first assessment

## What is Data Quality?

Data quality measures how well your data serves its intended purpose. High-quality data is:

- **Complete**: Required fields are populated
- **Valid**: Values match expected formats
- **Unique**: No duplicate records
- **Timely**: Data is current and up-to-date
- **Consistent**: Values are uniform across records

When data lacks these qualities, problems cascade through your organization.

## Why Data Quality Matters

Poor data quality costs organizations real money and creates operational friction:

| Impact Area | Example |
|-------------|---------|
| Lost revenue | Missed opportunities from outdated contact information |
| Wasted resources | Hours spent manually cleaning data |
| Poor customer experience | Customers receive wrong information |
| Compliance risk | Inaccurate reporting triggers regulatory issues |
| AI failures | Models trained on bad data produce bad outputs |

### The Numbers

Research shows the financial impact is significant:

- Organizations lose 15-25% of revenue annually due to poor data quality
- Over 25% of organizations lose more than $5 million per year (IBM 2025)
- Employees spend up to 27% of their time correcting data errors

For Salesforce users, duplicate records alone waste storage and fragment customer history across multiple records.

## Introducing DQS

Data Quality Sense (DQS) is a Salesforce-native application that helps you:

1. **Measure** data quality across five dimensions
2. **Identify** specific records and fields with issues
3. **Prioritize** which problems to fix first
4. **Monitor** ongoing data health over time

### Why Salesforce-Native Matters

DQS runs entirely within Salesforce. Your data never leaves the platform:

| Feature | Benefit |
|---------|---------|
| No data export | Your data stays secure |
| No external APIs | No integration complexity |
| No code required | Point-and-click configuration |
| Native UI | Familiar Salesforce experience |

## The AI Readiness Dimension

Beyond traditional data quality, DQS also measures AI readiness. As organizations adopt Agentforce and other AI capabilities, data requirements increase:

| Traditional Data Quality | AI Readiness |
|--------------------------|--------------|
| Is the field populated? | Is there enough text content for AI to learn from? |
| Is the format valid? | Is the language consistent? |
| Are there duplicates? | Is PII protected before AI exposure? |

DQS measures both dimensions in a single scan.

## Getting Started

Take these steps to begin your data quality journey:

### Step 1: Assess Your Current State

Take the [AI Readiness Assessment](/ai-readiness/). In 3 minutes, you'll get a score across key data quality dimensions and specific recommendations for improvement.

### Step 2: Understand the Dimensions

Read [The Five Dimensions of Data Quality](/resources/data-quality/five-dimensions/) to understand what DQS measures and why each dimension matters.

### Step 3: Learn About AI Readiness

If you're preparing for Agentforce or other AI initiatives, read the [Agentforce Preparation Guide](/resources/ai-readiness/agentforce-preparation/) to understand additional requirements.

### Step 4: Install DQS

When you're ready to measure your actual Salesforce data, install DQS from the AppExchange and create your first Definition.

## Next Steps

- [Why Data Quality Matters](/resources/getting-started/why-data-quality-matters/): The business case for investing in data quality
- [Quick Start Guide](/resources/getting-started/quick-start-guide/): Step-by-step first actions
- [AI Readiness Assessment](/ai-readiness/): Get your score in 3 minutes