Article
Identify root causes effectively
Have you ever disagreed with someone from a different department about the root cause of a problem and how to approach the situation? If you have, you are certainly not the only one.
Data is a powerful tool in qualifying decision-making, but if you are not able to see the full picture, you will not be able to get the full benefit of it either. And that is the case when data is siloed, or in other words when different departments do not have access to each other’s data. Unfortunately for everyone, data silos are common in modern businesses and can occur when different units in the organisation use different data-storing systems which can even make the different data sets incompatible and practically impossible to compare and combine.
In fact, siloed data can not only hinder collaboration across departments, but it can actually cause different departments to work against each other to solve the same problem.
Imagine …
Imagine trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle, but you only have access to half the pieces while your colleague has access to the other half. Everyone would be better off if you combined your pieces and your efforts to solve the puzzle.
Now imagine that the puzzle is a leak in your network, and two units in your organisation have access to incomplete data sets that, when combined, could help you locate the leak.
Would you prefer to keep the data siloed or share it across departments? Kind of a no-brainer, right?
Solution: Data integration
When different departments have access to each other’s data, everyone can make more informed decisions and understand each other’s actions better. But how do you get there?
The easiest way is to invest in a data integration system that can collect data from multiple sources and make it available to anyone in your organisation with access to the platform. With one single platform for data collection and storing, you can ensure that all data sets are compatible and available to anyone who may need it to do their job.
By simplifying access to information across departments, you will save time not having to wait for colleagues to answer questions or provide information. This also makes collaboration easier and more efficient which is essential for your collective success.