Do you really need all that historical data?
A question I'll often get from my clients as they're making the transition from one AMS to another is "How much historical data do we need to convert?"
My preferred answer is always "None." The easiest data conversions are those with the least amount of data.
But the more accurate answer is another question: "What will you actually DO with that historical data, if it's converted to your new system?" In my experience, the overwhelming majority of data is never used beyond its original transaction. That suggests that most historical data probably doesn't need to be converted.
Yes, there are some significant exceptions, e.g., certification data. But most historical data probably doesn't need to be converted. Just ask yourself: "If I have that data in the new system, how will I use it?" If you have to think about that before you answer, you probably don't need to convert that data.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Just because you can…
Just because you can… In response to a recent Wednesday Wisdom on averages hiding the […]
Always ask “Why?”
Always ask “Why?” Little kids ask “Why?” all the time, because they are sponges for […]
Averages hide the extremes
Averages hide the extremes I can’t remember where I first heard it, but “averages hide […]
Look up PARTIAL names!
Look up PARTIAL names! Train your staff to do look ups on partial names, not full […]
Not Just Technology
Not Just Technology There was recently a discussion on the ASAE online community about project management […]
Consider quitting
Consider quitting Patient: “Doctor, it hurts when I do this.” Doctor: “Then stop doing that.” […]
There is nothing so permanent as business rules
There is nothing so permanent as business rules Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman said, “There’s nothing […]
Budget for feature discovery and adoption
Budget for feature discovery and adoption When developing a budget for implementation of a new […]
Customize staff pages for better user adoption
Customize staff pages for better user adoption The single most important element to data management […]
Don’t ask questions for which you already know the answer
Don’t ask questions for which you already know the answer I was recently completing an […]