Data Validation Controls

Data validation controls ensure that bad data does not make its way into a software system. If we allow bad data into a system, we will get bad information out of it. This reflects the age-old principle: garbage in, garbage out (GIGO). The importance of allowing only good data into a software system is that good data leads to good information, good information leads to good decision making, and good decision making leads to organizational stability (in a not-for-profit context) or competitive advantage (in a for-profit context).