Don’t just clean data, clean reports and queries

Don't just clean data, clean reports and queries

One of the reasons I exhort my clients to keep their data as clean as possible is because, over time, "dirty" data causes users to doubt the accuracy of all the data in the system. And when users doubt the data, they'll start using their own systems to manage data, and your data will get worse over time (I call this the cycle of doom.)

Another contributor to this cycle of doom is outdated queries and reports.

In my experience, almost all of my clients are in the habit of creating new queries and reports, but not cleaning out the old ones. Over time that creates a lot of queries and reports that staff has to wade through. (A client recently told me they have over 400 reports and queries in their current system!) And if the reports are out of date or inaccurate, they can also lead to staff doubting the data.

So my recommendation is simple: On a periodic basis (at least twice a year), review all of your saved queries and reports, and get rid of the ones that are no longer used or no longer accurate.

Bonus tip: if you can't decide if a report or query is being used or not, hide it (i.e., don't delete it but make it invisible to users). If no one asks "Where is that report?" you'll know it's no longer in use!

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