What are major problems companies have in managing their data? What solutions would you propose?

Question

What are major problems companies have in managing their data? What solutions would you propose?

Answer 1

Many...using paper to collect data, then re-entering it to make it electronic.  Lack of integration between departments that are dependent upon each other for data (data sharing).  How to solve?  Business process mapping first....to show what they are currently doing, be it paper/electronic/phone.  Suggest technology solutions (business process re-engineering).  You so this working with representatives of every department.  Recommend "touching" data only once...no re-entry, eliminate paper (causes errors and problems with storage/disaster recovery...no backup).  You can present evidence showing doing this reduces error, speeds processes up...also having data in a data bank allows for greater use of the data to do projections for the future...making decisions based on data vs. "intuition"....

(have done many of these...gov and public sector)