Eliminate to optimize

Eliminate to optimize

So much of data management is habit (both good and bad) which is why I love James Clear's Atomic Habits. Implementing better data management habits can help you improve the quality of your data.

Here's another quote from Clear that applies to data management:

"More effort is wasted doing things that don’t matter than is wasted doing things inefficiently. Elimination is the highest form of optimization." - James Clear

Where does this apply? Here are just a few examples:

  • Do you actually use all the demographic data you collect during the join process?
  • Do you produce a printed directory that no one uses?
  • Do you mail printed membership cards or attendance certificates that no one uses?
  • Do you produce periodic reports or memos that no one actually reads?

My experience with clients is that most organizations have one or more processes in place that simply aren't needed anymore. They can be eliminated. And as Clear states, elimination is the highest form of optimization.

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

You gotta wanna

July 5, 2023

You gotta wanna Long ago I heard a training consultant say you can’t train people […]

Be careful not to overbuy

June 14, 2023

Be careful not to overbuy I recently spoke with an association of ten staff that was […]

When is the best time to clean your data?

June 7, 2023

When is the best time to clean your data? One of the most common questions […]

Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

May 31, 2023

Do the benefits outweigh the risks? As the economist Thomas Sowell points out, there are […]

Painting the Bridge

May 24, 2023

Painting the Bridge According to this article, the Golden Gate Bridge is painted continuously year-round. […]

Maintenance isn’t sexy

May 17, 2023

Maintenance isn’t sexy I remember reading once long ago that one of the reasons our […]

“Will I still have a job when this is done?”

May 10, 2023

“Will I still have a job when this is done? While working with a client […]

Evolution, not revolution

May 3, 2023

Evolution, not revolution I don’t recall where I first heard it many decades ago, but […]

The power of the users’ group

April 26, 2023

The power of the users’ group Recently in an online users group forum for an […]

Who is your data evangelist?

April 19, 2023

Who is your data evangelist? I was recently talking with a client of mine about […]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.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

Scroll to Top