Your great dashboards are worthless without good data- and it's your responsibility

In the work of digital transformation, data quality and consistency are among the most talked about topics. Everyone agrees that good data is a prerequisite for success in automation, analytics, insights and decision support. Yet many overlook one central truth:
If your data is messy, incomplete, or unreliable, it's often not the system's fault -- it's because it's not easy, intuitive, or meaningful for your users to input it.

Good data starts with good experiences

It's easy to point to the systems when the dashboard doesn't make sense. But data isn't created in the dashboard -- it starts with people. People who enter information into the CRM system, update customer cards, fill out forms, record discrepancies or answer simple questions. And they gladly do -- whose they find that it makes sense.

Unfortunately, the reality is often different. Many organizations have long and cumbersome processes, uncluttered interfaces, and little or no feedback to the user. The result? Low motivation, inconsistent effort and large gaps in the data base.

When you make it easy to contribute, magical things happen

When, on the other hand, you remove the friction -- and give something back -- everything changes. Good systems, smart processes and clear communication can turn data quality from challenge to competitive advantage.

If you:

• Make it easy: User-friendly interface, fewer clicks, clear fields and logical steps.
• Explain why: Show how data is used and its value — not just for the business, but for the user himself.
• Gives value back: Let the user see the result of their efforts. Perhaps they will gain better insight into their own work, faster access to information, or a simpler everyday life.
• Removing unnecessary red tape: Don't collect data just to collect. Everything that is asked about should have a clear purpose.

Then something happens. The data begins to flow regularly. Quality is increasing. People are engaging.

Data is not just technology, it's culture

Good data quality is not just a technology project. It's a culture. A culture where everyone understands why data matters and where it is a matter of course to contribute because the process is firmly rooted in both technology and human needs.

In this culture, it is easier to succeed with digital ventures, because trust in the data base is high. The decisions that are made are getting better. Resources are used smarter. And dashboards? They actually become useful -- as they were meant to be.

So what do you have to do?

You need to ask yourself this question:
Have we made it easy and meaningful for users to provide us with the data we need?

If the answer is no, it may not be the data quality there is something wrong with -- but the whole approach. Start by understanding the user journey. Where does friction occur? Why don't they bother? What can be simplified? What can be visualized better? Where can you give them anything again?

The dashboard is not worth more than the data base it says on

You may have the most advanced visualization tools on the market — but without good and consistent data, it's just a trinket. It doesn't provide insight. It doesn't create momentum. And it doesn't help management make better decisions.

Good data starts with good user experiences.
The best organizations know that -- and build systems and cultures where people actually want to contribute.