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
Negativity bias is why we need database PR
Negativity bias is why we need database PR I’ve written before how cognitive biases can affect […]
A system change requires a culture change
A system change requires a culture change By its very nature, when you introduce a […]
Where is that data?
Where is that data? This is what data management nirvana looks like: When the question starts with […]
Be deliberate, but act quickly
Be deliberate, but act quickly Be deliberate, but act quickly. These are my words of […]
Why associations don’t like the “S” word
Why associations don’t like the “S” word A couple of weeks ago I asked my […]
The “S” stands for “Standard”
The “S” stands for “Standard” In a conversation with a past client, we were discussing […]
Is that meaningless data?
Is that meaningless data? I’m not a big quotes guy, but one of the few […]
Be aware of unintended consequences
Be aware of unintended consequences I’ve written before that every decision involves a trade-off. When […]
Positive change is harder to see
Positive change is harder to see Humans are wired to see negative change because we […]
MVP: Minimum Viable Product
MVP: Minimum Viable Product In product development there is a concept known as MVP, or […]