I don’t know about you, but I'm asked every day where some type of data lives in our enterprise. I keep thinking that we have not done a good job of helping people learn to help themselves! A few things I have learned about corporate data assets are:
The data has to be easy to obtain. For example, how do I get a password for a specific database that stores the enterprise data I need for a report? Procedures for getting to the data via whatever tool has to be available for the business users, and easy to follow. There is really no reason it should take weeks to get a new business user set up, and productive.- The data has to be easily understood. The business metadata (or definitions) have to be understood by the business people. I like to take a definition and run it by a new employee to make sure the meaning is clear. Consider adding valid values to the definition.
- Instructions on how to use the data must be readily available. Not only do we have to make the data available, but we need:
- HOW TO documents created in a way that walks the business user through the set-up and activate processes.
- Potentially, a web page with all the document links, forms, etc. that a business person would need to help them be successful.
- Guidance on the data usage needs to be offered. SORRY, not everything is so intuitive that anyone can pick it up quickly. Consider a monthly class or lunch-and-learn on corporate data usage.
- Business users must be given a way to report issues or concerns. Consider a form on the web page that is routed to an email where the business user can ask for help and receive help quickly.
Doesn’t it really all come down to COMMUNICATION?
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