It seems like every organization’s focus these days is on data. How much can you gather? Where do you keep it? What analytical tools do you use? How do you manage legacy systems? These and a myriad of other questions probably cross your mind on a weekly basis. Whether you own a new business or run a company with an established history, you understand that it’s vital to stay up to date about data. To make it a little easier, here are five things you need to know about modern data management.
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1. You Don’t Need To Transition to the Cloud All at Once
While it’s true that cloud computing is the future of data management, you don’t have to rush to move all of your systems and data to the cloud. In fact, taking that part of the process one step at a time will ultimately help you to validate that the cloud service provider you end up choosing is the best one for your needs.
You have options when it comes to embracing the cloud. For example, you could choose a hybrid deployment model where data on your local servers syncs with what you have in the cloud. If you’re asking yourself the question of what is a file server, take time now to get up to speed on your organization’s current data management setup and identify areas with the most need for change.
2. More Data Isn’t Necessarily the Solution
Before you throw open the gates and tell your IT department to gather every scrap of data imaginable, consider some of the downsides of the “more is better” approach. As data management continues to move forward in leaps and bounds, you don’t want to fall prey to the idea that once you have all possible data, you’ll have all the answers you’ve ever dreamed of. There are real disadvantages to that strategy.
First, you’ll have to manage the costs of storing a huge amount of data. If it takes you a significant amount of time to gain useful insights from that data, then you’re essentially wasting resources. Not to mention the possibility that you’ll never find a way to make the data actionable.
There’s also the fact that storing more and more data leads to higher security risk. Combine that with an overstretched infrastructure team and you can see how the simple act of gathering more data might be counterintuitive to your data management goals.
3. Getting Data Into the Right Hands Matters
Otherwise known as data democratization, getting your data into the right hands inside your organization is a critical aspect of modern data management. You’ll need the right team and the right data governance strategy, but once you have those pieces in place, you can enjoy the benefits of data democratization, including the following:
- Lead employees are empowered to query and create reports without creating a significant burden for your IT department
- Mature and high-functioning data and engineering departments can function on their own
- The added freedom to focus on other complex issues that face your organization
4. Data Architecture and Quality Control Can Take You Far
While this point is often included in data management reports, it bears repeating that your architecture and the quality of your data will continue to play vital roles in the health of your organization. Focusing on data architecture early in the process of transitioning to a modern system will allow you to avoid common pitfalls, such as the unintentional creation of data silos and technical compatibility issues. By cleaning up your architecture, you can comply more effectively with data security regulations.
Integrating strong data quality measures is a critical part of modernizing your approach to data management. Consider embracing innovative solutions that involve automating quality control.
5. You Can Nurture Analytics and Accountability at the Same Time
As you move toward a fully modernized data management practice, keep in mind that how you nurture your company culture will impact the outcome of your transition. Think about how you can orient your workforce toward embracing data and using an analytical mindset to discover new insights.
At the same time, keep accountability at the forefront of your process. This applies to higher-level executives and dispersed teams. Clarify everyone’s roles when it comes to your data management procedures and systems. Once you get your entire workforce on board, you can move forward with confidence.
The faster technology progresses, the more complex data management becomes. The key to success is to craft an approach that works for your particular organization.
