Many organizations are seriously constrained by the lack of information about how their clients are responding to their programs and services.
The transformation occurs when you begin to realize we now operate in a hyper-connected world where trends change direction instantly, and only knowing precisely how your clients are responding to you consistently, can help you make sure you’re not going in the wrong direction.
So – how can you figure this out? “The Devil is in The Details?" Maybe. But certainly...
The Truth is in Your Data!
I’m assuming you have a mechanism to collect and track your data. It really doesn’t matter what type of industry you're in or what you do... when driving your initiatives forward and improving the outcomes for your clients… your data holds all of the answers.
But – is collecting data enough? Getting your data to work for you involves having the correct mindset upfront. Your data collection efforts MUST be driven by business needs, otherwise it may turn out to be just another database that must be synchronized with all the other ones.
Putting the right emphasis towards the type of data that is important vs. data that will not add to the “bigger picture” is where you must begin – in order to make your data “actionable”.
Sadly, this seems to be one of the truths that many organizations ignore, don't put enough attention towards or are unsure how to maximize - all too often – and it costs them far more than they realize.
What Are Your Constraints?
Put simply, their two main constraints are that they don't key in on the "real" information that is important to their needs OR... they don’t have the right tools in place to really know how their strategy and execution is working in the real world. And that makes it impossible for them to leverage their success or to cut unproductive strategies short before they break the bank – and in some cases… before they put a client at risk (i.e, financial planners, healthcare organizations, child welfare, etc.,)
Having a good resource for data management is utterly indispensable today. Not having it is not only a massive constraint in itself; it creates dozens of more localized constraints in every part of your organization.
You wind up struggling endlessly with problems that are holding you back (bad data, useless data, no easy way to mine or understand your data, too difficult to put into action) and then paying a king’s ransom to find solutions (fixing the data, cleansing the data or "dumping" the data).
Conversely elevating the efficacy of your organization with a good data management resource capable of helping you quickly and efficiently vaporize the obstacles, meet the challenge, seize fast-breaking opportunities or allowing you to make the right decision that really helps your clients – has never been more important.
It’s all about the data. Here are the steps:
- Ask the right questions to ensure compliance with the business rules of the organization, both internally and externally
- Know what the outcome measures are and how they can be quantified
- Know the time frames, formats and requirements are for reports for all the grant giving agents
- Track that data like a “hawk” and know your metrics… in real-time, so there’s never any doubt as to the direction you’re headed
- Randomly sample and do quality assurance evaluations of the data to ensure that policy changes have not made changes in reporting formats that could cause a reduction in funding or show errors that truly are not there.
Proper data management is something that should be established from the beginning. Unfortunately most organizations wait until data is out of hand – before they take a hard look at what they’ve got.
Instead – you must have a strategy up front that optimizes your collection efforts.
Information is a funny thing. The Internet has allowed us access to more information that, frankly we are prepared to handle. And then there’s the issue of how much of the information you read, collect and use… is actually true and based on fact.
The good news – with the proper data management system in place – you’re in control of what goes into your database. You have the ability to collect only the information that is important to you and your initiatives. When you do this – your data automatically becomes ACTIONABLE… and you will know more about your clients and the services you provide – that you’ll have all the data you need for program administration, risk management, planning evaluation, budgeting, funding, etc.,
In today’s rapidly-changing business environment, the watchword is “constant vigilance” … watching your metrics (like a hawk) and monitoring & adapting your programs, offers, services and care ON THE FLY – daily (if necessary) to ensure that it continues to fit YOUR VISION hand in glove.
Seven Powerful Questions to Ask… That Will Make Your Data Actionable.
- What data would help me reach and accomplish my current goal objectives faster?
- What do my clients and their families expect to find or achieve with my programs and services?
- What do I need to learn about my client situations to make better decisions for their needs?
- What knowledge do I need to reach my next goal easier and more certain?
- What is my current expectation of a positive outcome and how do I measure that?
- What do I need to learn about my team to allow them to be more productive?
- What administrative duties could be automated allowing me to re-focus my efforts into improving our company focus and the value we provide to our clients?
There are many types of metrics that you can analyze – but the key is to be prudent in first asking the questions, aligning your answers with your goals – and then establishing a system of data collection, mining and management that is optimized from the beginning.
Only then can your data ever become Actionable.