Who is in control?

Who is in control?

Speaking with a client once about their database project, the client said something I found rather profound: "I want to feel like I control the database, not that the database is controlling me."

There's a lot going on in that statement, and there are a lot of elements that affect whether or not we feel "in control." I'll hear my clients say "the system won't allow us to do what we want to do." That can be true, but just as often, the loss of control stems from issues that, ironically, are under the control of the client.

Here are some of them:

  1. Do you have enough training to know how to use the system effectively? Not knowing how to use the system leads to a feeling of no control.
  2. Are your business rules clear and simple? The more difficult or complex your rules are (and the more exceptions you allow), the less "in control" you'll feel because a situation could result in multiple processes and outcomes.
  3. Are you doing everything you can to manage key data in a single system (i.e., no spreadsheets) and/or integrating other data management systems to the primary system? A big factor feeding a sense of loss of control is having data "everywhere." By limiting the number of shadow databases and integrating third-party systems, you'll improve your control.

These are just three examples. I'm sure there are more. Every system will have limitations that require us to do workarounds or use manual processes. But we actually have a lot more control over our systems if we choose to exert that control.

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

May 31, 2023

Do the benefits outweigh the risks? As the economist Thomas Sowell points out, there are …

Do the benefits outweigh the risks? Read More »

Painting the Bridge

May 24, 2023

Painting the Bridge According to this article, the Golden Gate Bridge is painted continuously year-round. …

Painting the Bridge Read More »

Maintenance isn’t sexy

May 17, 2023

Maintenance isn’t sexy I remember reading once long ago that one of the reasons our …

Maintenance isn’t sexy Read More »

“Will I still have a job when this is done?”

May 10, 2023

“Will I still have a job when this is done? While working with a client …

“Will I still have a job when this is done?” Read More »

Evolution, not revolution

May 3, 2023

Evolution, not revolution I don’t recall where I first heard it many decades ago, but …

Evolution, not revolution Read More »

The power of the users’ group

April 26, 2023

The power of the users’ group Recently in an online users group forum for an …

The power of the users’ group Read More »

Who is your data evangelist?

April 19, 2023

Who is your data evangelist? I was recently talking with a client of mine about …

Who is your data evangelist? Read More »

Who is your data evangelist?

April 19, 2023

Who is your data evangelist? I was recently talking with a client of mine about …

Who is your data evangelist? Read More »

Ratio of Data to Errors

April 12, 2023

Ratio of Data to Errors One of the elements of a good data governance plan …

Ratio of Data to Errors Read More »

Back to basics

April 5, 2023

Back to basics Over the past couple of years I’ve noticed that some AMS vendors …

Back to basics Read More »

Scroll to Top