DQ-Tip: “Start where you are...”
Jim Harris in Books, Data Quality tagged DQ-Tip, Danette McGilvray Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 1:16PM Data Quality (DQ) Tips is an OCDQ regular segment. Each DQ-Tip is a clear and concise data quality pearl of wisdom.
“Start where you are
Use what you have
Do what you can.”
This DQ-Tip is actually a wonderful quote from Arthur Ashe, which serves as the opening of the final chapter of the fantastic data quality book: Executing Data Quality Projects: Ten Steps to Quality Data and Trusted Information by Danette McGilvray.
“I truly believe,” explains McGilvray, “that no matter where you are, there is something you can do to help your organization. I also recognize the fact that true sustainability of any data quality effort requires management support. But don't be discouraged if you don't have the ear of the CEO (of course that would be nice, but don't let it stop you if you don't).”
McGilvray then suggests the following excellent list of dos and don'ts:
- You DON'T have to have the CEO's support to begin, but . . .
- You DO have to have the appropriate level of management support to get started while continuing to obtain additional support from as high up the chain as possible.
- You DON'T have to have all the answers, but . . .
- You DO need to do your homework and be willing to ask questions.
- You DON'T need to do everything all at once, but . . .
- You DO need to have a plan of action and get started!
“So what are you waiting for?” asks McGilvray.
“Get going: build on your experience, continue to learn, bring value to your organization, have fun, and enjoy the journey!”
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Reader Comments (4)
Jim,
This is a great tip and reminder for not only data quality initiatives but also virtually any initiative that is starting.
Any programs that are underfunded and unsupported often need to start with the notion of:
“Start where you are, Use what you have, Do what you can.”
It is sometimes the only way that you can “do the right thing” and build support at the same time.
Thanks for the Sunday morning inspiration.
Don
Nothing more to say but: YES!
Good tip Jim,
It's amazing how many companies have everything they need to take data quality forward but for some reason they need to scour the market for tools and get on their knees for executive funding.
Some of the most exciting, innovative and beneficial projects I've been involved in have been grass-roots, low-budget affairs where a whiteboard has been our only investment!
Start where you are and start today - great motto for 2010 and another great post.
Jim,
Many companies can start where they are, use what they have, and do what they can by working to enforce data quality controls at the point data is entered into the operational systems they have control over. Evan Levy recently commented on Andrew White's blog about the responsibility of applications when it comes to data quality:
Why Applications Cannot Be Responsible for Data Quality (in other applications)
The cost of doing this within the application after implementation is not nearly as cheap as doing it while the application is being developed. However, post implementation requires that users are trained properly and understand the importance they play in the company's overarching data quality initiatives by not creating or propagating bad data. Otherwise, someone may end up on the receiving end of a data quality riot act.
Rob