Data is a Great Thing to Have (Assuming It’s Well-Managed)

There’s no doubt that data is valuable. It can improve many different aspects of a business, most notably operations, customer relations, and marketing. The more data you have, the more specific actions you can take to improve your business. But it can also be a real problem if you don’t have a plan for managing it. Let’s discuss some problems your data can present and how to avoid them.

How Much is Too Much?

As technology advances and more organizations depend on it to help with their internal decision-making and customization of their businesses, they are looking to get as much information as they can about their customers, their employees, and how their operations work. 

This means that they can’t just sit back and expect to get the value they’re looking for out of free-standing data. You need a dedicated strategy to “clean” your data before using it to improve your business' collected knowledge. 

You’ll need to reduce redundant data as much as possible, capture relevant information, and build metrics that you can use to gain the necessary insights to help you better understand your business’ decision-making and standing processes. 

Problems of Having “Too Much” Data

To help you better understand some of the pitfalls that businesses could face with their data management, let's review a list of the potential problems of not having a well-thought-out data management strategy:

Data Overload 

When there is too much data without a way to sort or clean it, it becomes challenging to sift through and identify what is relevant. This disorganization can lead to paralysis, where decision-makers are completely overwhelmed and unable to make the necessary decisions to improve their standing processes' efficiency and effectiveness.

Storage Costs 

Storing large amounts of data can be extraordinarily expensive, requiring additional investment in physical storage or cloud services. Managing and maintaining this storage can also increase operational costs quickly.

Data Quality 

More data doesn't always mean that it will be a benefit. A large volume of data can include redundant, outdated, or inaccurate information, which can significantly skew analysis and lead to decision-makers making choices that could ultimately hurt the business.

Performance Issues 

Analyzing vast amounts of data can significantly strain your IT infrastructure, leading to slower performance, which will make any efficiency you gain moot.

Security Risks 

More data means a higher potential that you will be targeted for cyberattacks. Maintaining the security of a large dataset can be complex and costly, and any breach can have massive negative impacts on your business.

Complexity in Data Management 

Managing and organizing large datasets requires sophisticated tools and expertise. Without proper data governance, businesses may struggle to continue with the consistency, accuracy, and accessibility they need for effective business.

To fashion your data efficiently so that you can get the most out of it, call the IT professionals at k_Street Consulting, LLC today at (202) 640-2737.