How should you start a new data project?

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:

  1. Identify who on staff is working on the project
  2. Pull the list of members that you're going to clean up
  3. Determine how you're going to update the email addresses (look them up online, use Linkedin, call them?)
  4. Identify the timeline for the project (when we start, when we expect to finish)
  5. 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!

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet…

January 11, 2023

It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet… One of the truisms of data management is that …

It’s quiet in here…maybe TOO quiet… Read More »

It’s ALWAYS about expectations

January 4, 2023

It’s ALWAYS about expectations The headline reads: “Tesla sets record for vehicle deliveries, an increase …

It’s ALWAYS about expectations Read More »

It’s hard to get UNangry

December 14, 2022

It’s hard to get UNangry I often emphasize to my clients the importance of testing …

It’s hard to get UNangry Read More »

Some history IS important!

December 7, 2022

Some history IS important! When I’m advising clients on data conversion (moving data from one …

Some history IS important! Read More »

“Many mickles make a muckle.”

November 30, 2022

“Many mickles make a muckle.” “Many mickles make a muckle.” – George Washington Apparently, this …

“Many mickles make a muckle.” Read More »

It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage

November 16, 2022

It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage The beauty of today’s highly configurable AMS …

It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage Read More »

Tell them why you want the data

November 9, 2022

Tell them why you want the data Because data is so easy to collect these …

Tell them why you want the data Read More »

Don’t get hung up on something minor

November 2, 2022

Don’t get hung up on something minor I’m a problem solver. I love to solve …

Don’t get hung up on something minor Read More »

Be flexible, especially for unusual requests

October 26, 2022

Be flexible, especially for unusual requests One of the great benefits of off-the-shelf association management software (AMS) …

Be flexible, especially for unusual requests Read More »

“Her eyes were bigger than her stomach.”

October 19, 2022

“Her eyes were bigger than her stomach.” When I was a child, my siblings used …

“Her eyes were bigger than her stomach.” Read More »

Scroll to Top