First ask: "How will I use this data?"
Whether it's during data conversion, adding a new data field, or reconsidering a given process, one of the first questions you should ask is "How will we use that data?"
Put another way, just because we can manage the data doesn't mean we should!
For example, I was speaking with a client recently about how to manage organization records within their database. They have individual members and want to associate all of the individuals with their appropriate organizations. It's an understandable desire. But when asked the question "How will we use that data?" the answer was "We're not really sure."
We all have lots of data we need to manage. And lots more we might want to manage. But for any data we manage, we need to be able to quickly answer the question "How does this data get used?" If we can't answer that, it's probably not data we need to be managing!
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
It’s all relative…
It’s all relative… Over the course of my 22 years of consulting, I’ve consulted with …
Eliminate to optimize
Eliminate to optimize So much of data management is habit (both good and bad) which is …
For data governance, ask “Why?”
For data governance, ask “Why?” Recently I’ve had the opportunity to work on several data …
More on Meetings
More on Meetings I’ve written before about the importance of making sure your meetings are …
Action produces momentum
Action produces momentum Another great quote from James Clear: “Motivation often comes after starting, not …
My #1 Best Practice…
My #1 Best Practice… A client recently asked me: “If you had to pick a single …
Encourage engagement with prizes!
Encourage engagement with prizes! One of the biggest challenges any organization faces when implementing a new …
Inertia
Inertia One definition of inertia is “to remain unchanged.” My sense is that many association processes, projects, or …
When’s the “least bad” time?
When’s the “least bad” time? When working with clients on a new project, especially a …
A poor launch can set the stage for YEARS
A poor launch can set the stage for YEARS It is not uncommon for me …