Trends in Data Administration: 1981-1985

The field of data administration originated as an adjunct to the expanding use of database management systems. With the increasing amount of data that data processing personnel are faced with managing, and the realization that data is an important corporate resource, the concept of data administration has continued to evolve and change. At several points in time over the last few years field surveys have been conducted to determine the state of practice of the data administration function. Using data derived from those surveys (and emphasizing the two which were conducted by this author) as well as empirical evidence, this article traces the development of the concept of data administration, concentrating on the period from 1981 to 1985.