We've seen so many spreadsheets and data sets that are inexplicably inconsistent, and so un-useable that we wonder how anyone makes any sense of them!
If this rings a bell for your work operations, please be assured that you don't have to put up with it. When multiple people are adding to data sets, there's bound to be issues with inconsistent, incorrect, or inadequate entries. Added to that, when systems aren’t integrated it complicates efforts to produce valuable reports, and then you've got the perfect storm for worker frustration, reduced productivity, misuse/underuse of technology, and resource wastage.
So how do you resolve the issue of continual bad data?
Fix your processes first
Technology is definitely a key solution, but before implementing a new technology system or modifying an existing one, we highly recommend you look at your processes first. You need everyone who has access to your data to be on the same page about inputting techniques, expected standards, tools to use, and how to keep the data updated. And data ownership needs to be resolved.
So here's a quick checklist to start getting your data quality improved:
Do you have a data governance framework to establish ownership, enforce policies, and oversee quality?
Do you have defined data quality standards and how will you validate your data to ensure it meets those standards?
How will you cleanse your data (find and fix the errors, duplicates, and missing values) and keep it clean?
Will you need to continuously monitor your data quality and do you need to generate reports on quality and progress?
Are staff trained to manage and monitor your data, and utilise the tools to keep it updated?
Can automation help, or machine learning to detect anomalies and predict data quality issues?
It seems like a major project, and in some cases, it will be. But, rest assured, it can be done.
You can fix it!
We can fix it!
Or we can fix it together!
Just try to get your processes sorted first, before you launch into a new technology solution. We're the Product Data Experts so we can help – just ask us how.
