by Angela Guess
A recent article offers simple yet effective advice for maintaining an effective data governance program in a small or medium-sized business: set data management standards. The writer states, “In my experience, campaigns with strong, data driven programs have standards for when and how all data will be entered. Campaigns that don’t set those standards tend to flounder. Up-to-date, complete data allows you to make data-based decisions and target your action, while out-of-date or incomplete data means you’re duplicating efforts, missing opportunities, and making ill-informed decisions.”
The writer offers the following recommendations for data management standards: “(1) Set a deadline for data entry. Whether it’s same-night, next day by noon, or within 24 hours, have a set-in-stone timeline for when data is entered. (2) Compare soft and hard reports daily. Run a daily report that shows you whose data is being entered on time, and follow up with those who aren’t getting it done.”
The list continues, “(3) Have an acceptable deviation. Soft and hard reports usually won’t match exactly. There will be some human error in both, especially the end-of-the-night counting sessions that produce soft reports. When I was managing organizers, I found that a deviation of about 6% either way was normal. Make sure people know how much difference is acceptable so that you can follow up effectively. (4) Hold people accountable. Your practices have to have teeth. If people are missing deadlines or their deviation is too high, intervene as appropriate. If the problems continue, you might need to assess whether this person is right for your program.”
photo credit: wikioticsIan
