Data management can be intimidating but don’t let that hold you back. Learn to manage it correctly; and your data will work for you in amazing ways.
Add a data base management system (DBMS) to your business, and you have taken a first step to improving production, securing your research, increasing your marketing potential and streamlining your processes. A data management system can be required to receive many grants or to win government projects.
When it comes to data management, here are six preliminary questions to ask.
- What data do I collect?
- Do I follow a process for collecting and documenting my data?
- Who contributes data–just me or others, too?
- What format is the data in?
- Where is the data stored?
- Is the data being backed up?
Compare the following suggestions to your own data practices. Take steps to improve the weaker areas of your company, then you are on the right path of success.
Documentation – Document the processes and workflows you follow when collecting and managing your data in a README file. It’s important to follow standards within your field for documenting contextual information about your data.
Formats – Ideally, data should be stored in open, non-proprietary formats. This ensures that data is easily accessible well into the future. This can be done simply by saving files as a CSV instead of an Excel spreadsheet or a text file instead of Microsoft Word document.
Storage – IU offers several options for data storage. You can store your data on the Cloud through IU Box, which also provides excellent versioning and collaborative functionality. Whatever you do, make sure you back up your data and not just rely on your hard drive to keep it safe. Also note that these options do not ensure long-term preservation.
Sharing and Access – Consider storing data in IUSW to promote discoverability and access when appropriate and necessary.
Security – Make sure you have a plan in place to prevent security breaches. Outside of organizing your data correctly, this is the most important step you will take.
Whether you need to generate reports, track inventory, review past invoices or simply make a quick decision, you can do so with a database management system.
Database management systems make businesses and organizations faster and better. It can be intimidating to move all of your data over, but rest assured that it will be worth it. QuickData is a data management consulting company focused on teaching you how to cut down on operational inefficiencies aimed at solving business problems related to data.