In the past few weeks, we've been focusing on standardising and streamlining the collection of data related to Technology Enabled Care (TEC). This effort aims to enhance the usability and integration of data across our organisation.
Key Learnings
1. Usability Matters
Usability is a critical factor in the success of data management tools. Motivated staff often develop their own tools, typically spreadsheets, if the primary tools provided are not user-friendly enough. This can undermine organisational data management efforts. Therefore, it's crucial to improve the usability of officially endorsed tools and provide adequate training to ensure they meet staff needs.
2. Data Integration is Key
Integrating data across different systems and teams can significantly enhance its value and flexibility. Including cross-references in datasets, such as case references and staff numbers, makes it easier to join fragmented datasets. This enables unanticipated use-cases for the data and unlocks insights that are greater than the sum of their parts.
3. Perfection is the Enemy of Improvement
While a whole-organisation effort to improve data capture and quality through centralised tools is commendable, tactical improvements to current practices can lead to immediate benefits. Enhancing existing spreadsheets with data validations, dropdowns, and additional columns for cross-references can quickly improve staff workflows and data capture.
Interesting Questions
Usability Challenges
What specific usability challenges have you encountered with data management tools in your work? How have you addressed them?
Integration Opportunities
Can you share examples of how integrating datasets from different systems or teams has led to new insights or improved decision-making in your organisation?
Incremental Improvements
What small, tactical improvements have you implemented in your data collection and reporting processes that made a significant impact? How did you identify these opportunities?
Ideas for Next Steps
Conduct Usability Audits
Regularly assess the usability of data management tools through staff surveys and usability testing. Use this feedback to prioritise enhancements and training programs.
Promote Data Cross-Referencing
Encourage teams to include relevant identifiers in their datasets. Develop guidelines and templates to facilitate this practice and demonstrate its benefits through case studies.
Implement Quick Wins
Identify and implement quick, tactical improvements to existing data collection practices. Provide staff with templates and tools that include data validations, dropdowns, and cross-referencing capabilities.
Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Create forums for staff to share their experiences and solutions related to data management. Recognize and reward initiatives that lead to meaningful improvements in data quality and usability.
By focusing on these areas, we can make significant strides in our Data & Insight workstream, ultimately enhancing our ability to collect, integrate, and utilise data effectively. If you'd like a more detailed briefing and how this can apply to your Local authority then email adam@datnexa.com
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