Enclosure (1) to COMDTINST 5230.42A
requirement for supporting our strategy for the future, in which data should be shared to the
greatest extent possible across organizations and applications. To support this requirement, the
following rules shall be used to construct data element definitions:
1.
Each data element must have a brief, precise, understandable definition.
2.
The definition must have a meaning significantly different from that of any other data
element.
3.
Data element definitions must have only one acceptable interpretation.
4.
Significant terms with different/varying connotations must have their use clearly explained in
the definition.
5.
Data element definitions must be functionally correct interpretations, written in commonly
used language.
6.
Functionally familiar terms, which do not literally state what the data element is or which may
be uncommon to other potential users, must be avoided.
7.
Use precise, consistent, grammatically correct language and avoid the use of local and