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
“We run the report three times and get three different results.”
“We run the report three times and get three different results.” “We run the same […]
How do you know if you’re making progress?
How do you know if you’re making progress? We all want to improve our data management, […]
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly This may sound like a big “duh!” but I’ll […]
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.”
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.” “Your current habits are […]
There is value in just going through the exercise
There is value in just going through the exercise I was working with a client […]
Daylight savings and business rules
Daylight savings and business rules This past Sunday, most of the US observed Daylight Savings […]
It’s always about priorities
It’s always about priorities No matter the size or type of technology project, you will […]
Only one can be best
Only one can be best One of my (many) pet peeves with software vendor marketing […]
Seek to simplify
Seek to simplify When I work with my clients on system selection or implementation, one […]
Some problems are not problems
Some problems are not problems “A problem with no solution is not a problem, it’s […]
