Small actions become big wins
I've written before about how data accretes, the idea that over time, we accumulate more and more data that becomes increasingly useless over time.
While this is a never-ending challenge of data management, another truism is that small wins accumulate over time. In other words, one of the ways to combat the accretion of data is to continually and consistently work at keeping the data clean.
What I see too often is a one "big push" effort every couple of years (or longer!) to clean up the data. The result is that, for some short period of time, the data is clean, but for most of its life, the data is pretty messy.
Instead, get into the habit of weeding the garden. Take small actions every day or every couple of days, to keep the accretion of data at bay. Over time, small actions turn into big wins.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
First ask: “How will I use this data?”
First ask: “How will I use this data?” Whether it’s during data conversion, adding a […]
“We run the report three times and get three different results.”
“We run the report three times and get three different results.” “We run the same […]
How do you know if you’re making progress?
How do you know if you’re making progress? We all want to improve our data management, […]
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly
Don’t move too quickly OR too slowly This may sound like a big “duh!” but I’ll […]
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.”
“Your current habits are perfectly designed to deliver your current results.” “Your current habits are […]
There is value in just going through the exercise
There is value in just going through the exercise I was working with a client […]
Daylight savings and business rules
Daylight savings and business rules This past Sunday, most of the US observed Daylight Savings […]
It’s always about priorities
It’s always about priorities No matter the size or type of technology project, you will […]
Only one can be best
Only one can be best One of my (many) pet peeves with software vendor marketing […]
Seek to simplify
Seek to simplify When I work with my clients on system selection or implementation, one […]