normalization or standardization of values can be difficult to address nomenclature (in our spreadsheet example it would be what is typed in a particular cell). Does the first commodity name submitted get used? Does the data manager work with both parties to see if they can agree to use one versus the other? Does the data manager just pick one or completely introduce a new name that is neither of those options and simply inform the data providers? All these options, along with other solutions, have been employed by data managers. These solutions become increasingly difficult to implement when the number of participants (and their variant submitted values) increases…what does a data manager do with over a dozen differing values meaning to represent “romaine lettuce”? Most recently, the Western Growers’ Science team has encountered this type of data standardization issue in our Food Safety Data Sharing Project. This project features the GreenLink TM platform—a web-based tool developed by Western Growers and powered by statistics and analytical company Creme Global. Through GreenLink TM , WG member operations that grow, harvest, process, and ship a variety of commodities are sharing their data with Western Growers. GreenLink TM allows a participant to visualize data from his or her individual operation as well as view anonymized aggregated data from all participants. With data from over 100 growers on multiple commodities across the production chain, data standardization is an important area of focus within GreenLink TM . To tackle the task, Western Growers assembled the Data Standardization Working Group. The group is comprised of academic subject matter experts, Creme Global data scientists, Western Growers’ Science team, and others interested in data standardization. The objective of the working group is to assess challenges and opportunities and coordinate efforts around data standardization in the fresh produce industry. With standardized data, powerful and accurate analytics are possible, paving the way to a brighter future for Western Growers’ members so they can continue to do what they do best…growing the best medicine in the world. Want to share your experiences with data standardization or have a data topic you want us to address in the next issue of The Data Corner? Email us at data@wga.com today!
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2022
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Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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