My #1 Best Practice...
A client recently asked me: "If you had to pick a single best practice for data management, what would it be?"
Without thinking, I blurted out: "Don't be stupid."
What I meant by that is too often we are our own worst enemies when it comes to data management. We make business rules that are far too complex. We spend all our time managing to the exception. And we spend too much time trying to work out fancy automation or programming when doing it manually makes the most sense.
These are all self-imposed problems, or as they say in soccer, "own goals." We do it to ourselves.
So think about all the rules and processes you've developed over the years and ask yourself: "Are we being stupid?"
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
“If you keep doin’ what you’re doin’, you’ll keep gettin’ what you’re gettin’.”
“If you keep doin’ what you’re doin’, you’ll keep gettin’ what you’re gettin’.” I saw […]
Rather than adding something new, try subtracting
Rather than adding something new, try subtracting I read recently that sociological research suggests, when presented […]
It’s always people, process, and technology
It’s always people, process, and technology I speak and write a lot about people, process, […]
Once it’s lost, trust can be difficult to regain
Once it’s lost, trust can be difficult to regain I recall hearing once long ago […]
Share your successes!
Share your successes! I was speaking at an association meeting recently and one of the points […]
What are YOUR data integrity reports?
What are YOUR data integrity reports? Sitting in an AMS demo with a client recently, […]
You might have to do SOME of the work yourself!
You might have to do SOME of the work yourself! Many, many years ago I […]
Don’t manage to the exception!
Don’t manage to the exception! One of the universal truths about data management is, wherever possible, […]
It’s always about improvement
It’s always about improvement Talking with a client recently, she expressed frustration about one particular project […]
Don’t be a hoarder!
Don’t be a hoarder! The simple truth is that it’s almost “free” to collect data. […]
