Don’t be a hoarder!

Don't be a hoarder!

The simple truth is that it's almost "free" to collect data. Or at least that's how it seems.

Set up a field in the database, send out an email and ask for the data, and voila, you're collecting new data.

The problem is that, in many (most?) cases, the data that we start out to collect doesn't get maintained over time, even with the best of intentions. And so, over time, we become data hoarders, keeping data that we really don't need.

I would guess that almost every one of my clients (now several hundred over 25 years) has one or more data points in their AMS that are no longer being used, or if they are being used, haven't been updated in many years. I'd bet the same is true for your organization.

When is the last time you looked at your database and cleaned out what you're no longer using? Is it time to do it again?

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Who is in control?

February 2, 2022

Who is in control? Speaking with a client once about their database project, the client […]

Sometimes Staff Has to do the Work

January 26, 2022

Sometimes staff has to do the work… As a child, I was attracted to computers […]

Documentation and the Great Resignation

January 19, 2022

Documentation and the Great Resignation Unless you’ve been living under the proverbial rock, you’ve heard […]

Data Management Strategy

January 12, 2022

Data Management Strategy Do you know what your data management strategy is? If you have […]

It’s always about trust

January 5, 2022

It’s always about trust When I work with clients on almost any data management project, […]

You can’t outsource buy-in

December 16, 2021

You can’t outsource buy-in One factor consistent with all of my most successful projects is […]

Use it or lose it!

December 8, 2021

Use it or lose it! I’m referring here to the data you collect. If you […]

“If I could only do one thing…”

December 1, 2021

“If I could only do one thing…” Managing data throughout your organization can be overwhelming. Do […]

Gratitude

November 24, 2021

Gratitude As Thanksgiving in the US approaches, I’m reminded of the importance of gratitude, in […]

“It’s more than I have, but less than I want.”

November 17, 2021

“It’s more than I have, but less than I want.” “It’s more than I have, […]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top