How should you start a new data project?
When you've got a new data project on the horizon, and you're feeling overwhelmed about where to start, what's the best way to start? Here's my answer (and stick with me now):
Just start! Take one action!
Do something that will move you one step closer to project completion. The simple act of that first step will likely impel you to a second and third step, and before you know it, the project is underway.
Let's say you have a new data cleanup project you want to undertake, updating email addresses for all of your members. What's your first step? Here are just a few suggestions:
- Identify who on staff is working on the project
- Pull the list of members that you're going to clean up
- Determine how you're going to update the email addresses (look them up online, use Linkedin, call them?)
- Identify the timeline for the project (when we start, when we expect to finish)
- Set a specific time each day for when the project will be executed
You get the idea. ANY of these could be used as a first step in the process. But they key is getting started. Once you get moving, you might be surprised by how far you go.
Got a new project you've been wanting to do? Now you know where to start!
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