---
title: 'Zen and the Art of Data Quality'
description: Pirsig's motorcycle classic meets the National Bank of Belgium's DQ guidance - and the three layers of data quality defence Data Controller for SAS provides.
date: '2026-08-07 09:00:00'
author: 'Data Controller'
authorLink: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/data-controller-for-sas
previewImg: './dilbert.jpeg'
tags:
  - Announcements
---

# Zen and the Art of Data Quality

The [linked article below](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/zen-art-data-quality-allan-bowe) contrasts Pirsig's 1974 motorcycle masterpiece with the insightful DQ guidance of the National Bank of Belgium ([nbb_2017_27](/blog/data-quality-and-the-nbb_2017_27-circular/)).

![Dilbert on data quality](dilbert2.jpeg)

And it would be remiss not to explain how Data Controller for SAS® provides 3 layers of data quality defence (for those who Care):

1. **Frontend Defence** - select boxes, type checking, date pickers, validation rules, key protection. Prevents simple mistakes.

2. **Backend Defence** - run a SAS program following a submit to apply complex DQ rules, enabling immediate rejection with contextual reasoning. Prevents any mistake for which a rule can be written.

3. **Human Defence** - changes reviewed by one or more approvers before the target table is updated. The final line of defence against the stress of poor data quality.

To complete your data-zen experience - [Data Controller](https://git.datacontroller.io/dc/dc) can be downloaded, deployed AND configured in just a few minutes.

It runs on Viya, SAS 9 EBI, and vanilla Base SAS.

DM for details!

Read the full article: [Zen and the Art of Data Quality](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/zen-art-data-quality-allan-bowe)
