3 Ways to Show Your Data a Little Love

by Gwen Garrison, PhD, High Sierra Insights 
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Although it may seem a little kitschy, it is February and everywhere we turn there are images of love all around us. Though many of us don’t associate data with love, we can use this moment to talk about how organizational leaders can, and should, show their data a little love and in doing so, reap rewards in their organizations. 

Let's start with a simple but elegant definition of love. I've come to define love as the ‘unconditional positive regard for a person, place, or thing.’  What this means is that I accept an object of my affection with both the flaws and the jewels. That said, I also try to make it sparkle and shine with a bit of tender loving care. 

How does this apply to data? Let me share 3 ways.
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Clear the Clutter from Your Organizational Data

First, apply a little 'Marie Kondo' to your organizational data. Keep what you need, toss what you don't, and if you don't know what to do with it, make an intentional plan and timeline for a decision. 

Although storage is not that expensive, we tend to lose track of the meaning of data once they are in the 'data garage'. This is often true about data from satisfaction surveys that hang around year after year post the summary report and any benefits that have been realized to program improvement. 

Instead of letting the data linger endlessly in storage, develop a Data Inventory Log that describes the file’s major intention for collection, analysis and reporting, and then what happened after. Visit this log once or twice a year and clear out files you no longer need and dispose of the data properly.
 
SOPs for Data Quality and Strength

Second, develop systems and procedures to strengthen the quality of your data. Here are two areas for your consideration. 

One area is to develop a Master Data Catalog that identifies the core data in your systems that are useful in one or more places. Seek to reduce errors, remove duplicates, and resolve inconsistencies. Nurture your internal conversations about how and why these data are valuable to other areas. It may seem obvious but it does take intentional practice, formal dedication in meetings, and strategic planning to get this done consistently and most importantly, for it to improve organizational outcomes. 
 
The second area is to seek out formal data reference lists from key expert data houses. One emerging reference list among association spaces are geo-location files developed by the U.S. Census Bureau. Obtaining and connecting with these reference location data helps associations learn how to improve member services in a particular region. This can be helpful in times of program development or even disaster response.

Promoting Data Literacy Throughout Your Organization

Third, develop routines and internal talent to use your data. Encourage your staff to strengthen their own curiosity about their data by promoting data literacy throughout your organization. Data literacy is about understanding where your data comes from and how it can be appropriately used with analytic and visualization skills to tell data stories that support decision-making. These skills and knowledge can be developed and encouraged through professional development and many traditional education programs.
 
Intentionally showing your data some love creates benefits that both support leadership and management but also connects to your members and staff.  It increases your brand value and demonstrates your relevance to your industry areas. So, give it a little hug today and make an even bigger mission-driven difference tomorrow.