It's always about trust
When I work with clients on almost any data management project, a very common theme is one of trust. Or more specifically, a lack of trust in the data that's in the primary system.
This is reflected in the way staff talks about the data, very often saying things like "I don't think the data is being updated frequently (or at all!)" or flat out saying "I don't trust that the data is accurate." And the problem with a lack of trust is that it leads staff to manage data outside of the primary system (see The Cycle of Doom).
I read once long ago that for every act that creates mistrust, multiple acts of trust are required just to regain the trust lost on that single act. In other words, it's not a one-to-one equivalence; you have to have moreacts of trust to balance out any mistrust.
Something similar is at work with your database. Staff can happily use the system for days, weeks, or months (trust!) but if they come across multiple errors (or even one very significant error), all that trust can be lost immediately.
So it's up to us to do all we can, every day, to make sure the data is as trustworthy as we can make it. Not perfect (unattainable), but trustworthy.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Be flexible, especially for unusual requests
Be flexible, especially for unusual requests One of the great benefits of off-the-shelf association management software (AMS) …
“Her eyes were bigger than her stomach.”
“Her eyes were bigger than her stomach.” When I was a child, my siblings used …
Once you buy crap…
Once you buy crap… “When you buy something cheap and bad, the best you’re going …
It could always be worse
It could always be worse Because most of us don’t have the benefit (like I …
It’s all about managing expectations
It’s all about managing expectations I placed an order online on a Friday and the …
Experience is the best teacher
Experience is the best teacher Experience is the best teacher. Every one of us has …
Don’t ask for what you don’t need!
Don’t ask for what you don’t need! Recently I received a bill from a doctor’s …
It is never done – so celebrate!
It is never done – so celebrate! A client of mine recently had their official …
MDR (Minimum Data Required)
MDR (Minimum Data Required) I’ve written about minimum viable product (MVP) in software development in the …
Simpler and Faster is Better
Simple and Faster is Better Earlier this week I was fortunate enough to attend a …