In today’s data-driven world, a company’s data management plan is more than just a document—it’s the backbone of efficient operations and strategic decision-making. 

Effective data management, which includes collecting, organizing, protecting, analyzing, and storing data, is crucial for any organization aiming to stay competitive.

However, many companies struggle with the ongoing implementation of these plans. Often, the initial enthusiasm fades, and the sustained effort required to maintain rigorous data management slips.

A common source of frustration arises from a disconnect between those responsible for data collection and those who rely on the data for decision-making. The gap is often due to the added tasks that data management requires—such as adhering to naming conventions, using specific file structures, and following new procedures—which can feel burdensome, especially when they disrupt established workflows.

This friction highlights the importance of not just creating a robust data management plan but also fostering a culture that values and understands the long-term benefits of consistent data practices.

This underscores the importance of securing company-wide buy-in when establishing a data management plan and helping everyone understand that their actions with data have a real impact on the broader data ecosystem.

A relevant example from our experience involved using time-tracking software to refine service pricing. Over the years, different departments adopted time-tracking tools for various purposes, but these tools were often viewed as secondary, not critical to departmental functions. Eventually, the business recognized that time-tracking data could be invaluable for setting service prices, as it offered insights into the actual time spent on services, helping to align pricing with costs.

However, a significant issue emerged. While the company had naming conventions for clients in its primary systems, these standards weren’t consistently applied in the time-tracking software. This wasn’t due to negligence—those setting up the software simply didn’t anticipate the data’s future significance. As a result, the company faced a time-consuming data-cleaning process to make the information usable, highlighting the importance of adhering to standards across all systems.

In the previous example, we were fortunate to salvage the data after some cleaning, but in many cases, minor oversights can result in the permanent loss of valuable data.

Another key point is how small individual actions in data management can have significant consequences, particularly when it comes to collecting and storing data. While it’s not as simple as saving every piece of data that comes your way—considering factors like data security and costs—it’s crucial to remember that data you might deem insignificant today could become invaluable to the business in the future.

Do you have challenges in or innovative solutions to managing your data. We would love to connect with you. Contact Dale Petersen on 021 819 7802 or at dpetersen@wauko.com.