Data management is improvisation
I was listening to a podcast recently featuring TV writer Rob Long. During the podcast he said (I'm paraphrasing) that, in order to be successful, one needs to learn to improvise, because nothing in life ever goes as planned. One of my favorite sayings is, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him what you're doing tomorrow."
And so it is with managing data. No matter how much we plan, whether it's a new system implementation, a new process, or just collecting a new set of data, what we plan and expect and what actually happens are rarely the same. And sometimes they are radically different!
And so we have to learn to improvise. We have to be flexible enough to react to what actually happened, adapt to it, and continue moving forward. After all, we're seeking success, not perfection.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
When “overcommunicating” becomes overwhelming
When “overcommunicating” becomes overwhelming There is a common belief in project management and general business management that overcommunicating […]
Communicating when there is a major technology change
Communicating when there is a major technology change For those of you who are ASAE […]
Everything works, until it doesn’t.
Everything works, until it doesn’t. “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” – […]
Some things are unknowable
Some things are unknowable One of the most challenging aspects of moving to a new […]
Do we have access to that data?
Do we have access to that data? When I work with my clients on a […]
The three “buckets” of contact data
The three “buckets” of contact data Broadly speaking, when collecting data on contacts (individuals or organizations), […]
Balancing what is possible with what is realistic
Balancing what is possible with what is realistic When I work with clients on technology […]
“Humans want to be surrounded by beauty.”
“Humans want to be surrounded by beauty.” “Humans want to be surrounded by beauty.” – […]
Data managers vs data consumers
Data managers vs data consumers When I work with clients on any data management project, […]
Another universal truth
Another universal truth There are many universal truths in data management. Some examples: You will […]
