A minor issue in your company’s data might not seem like a major problem. However, your data might contain other errors that you simply missed. Further, whatever caused this one issue could lead to other problems. Learn how to evaluate your business’s data through quality data monitoring to spot potential quality issues.
Evaluate the Process
Review the process through which the data is gathered. Look for potential flaws with how the data is harvested. For example, the process might be biased toward certain demographics. If the data is collected through a survey, some of the questions could be biased toward one gender or religion. Ensuring a proper and unbiased sample size is an important part of collecting data.
Resolve Technical Issues
Problems with technical components could also lead to errors or quality issues with the data. Make sure the process runs seamlessly. Data quality monitoring tools can help you to quickly notice any changes. If one question is suddenly left blank on all of the data submission forms, a technical issue could be at play. It’s possible that the browser is not processing submissions to that one question. If you haven’t made any recent changes to the question itself, consider the other reasons why this issue could occur.
Note Major Changes
As long as you are monitoring the data on a regular basis, you should notice any major changes. Of course, doing so involves careful attention to the data. You might see that the numbers are suddenly trending upward or downward by a huge percentage. While a sudden upward trend in sales, for example, is likely exciting, this increase could be the result of errors.
Consider Confusing Questions
If you are gathering data by asking customers or employees questions, you need to make sure that the information is presented in a clear fashion. While you should evaluate questions that you create, you also need to ask team members for their perspectives. Since you created the questions, you know what these inquiries mean. Putting this information in front of an unfamiliar audience can help you to get more accurate feedback.
Evaluating data for quality issues is a process that your business should be engaged in on a regular basis. If you do not take the time to review and manage your data, you might be left with a false impression of the business. In fact, you should put together a team of experts who are specifically assigned to focus on quality data monitoring.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.
