WhatTheyThink

Premium Commentary & Analysis

Is GIGO Killing Your Analytics?

As we enter the last quarter of the year, you may be crunching numbers and planning strategies based on what you see. You may have a set of trusty spreadsheets that you update or rely on your ERP, MIS, and back-office programs to build reports to analyze. What happens if the data you rely on is wrong?

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Source: Shutterstock under license

Do you use data in your business? Perhaps you are a DIYer, building spreadsheets or feeding PowerBI with data. You may have purpose-built analytics tools that grab data from your business systems, MIS, ERP, or MES. You may have dashboards and other visuals to help inform decisions, optimize processes, and drive growth. But how good is the data that feeds these systems? The accuracy and reliability of these analytics are only as good as the data used, and we know this is a challenge. The adage garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) succinctly captures the problem. If the input data is flawed, the resulting analytics will be equally flawed, leading to misguided strategies and potentially costly mistakes.

It is easy to believe that all data is created equal and must be accurate because it is data. It is accurate within its context, and when taken out of context or misused, bad data can take many forms:


Continue reading your article
with a WhatTheyThink membership.

WhatTheyThink Annual Membership

Less than $4/week.

Get unlimited access to in-depth commentary and analysis covering the latest trends, emerging technologies, operational strategies, and key events across every segment of today's printing industry.

Stay informed. Stay competitive. Stay ahead.
WhatTheyThink Day Pass

$5 for 24 hours

Unlimited access to all of WhatTheyThink. Get your Day Pass

Already a member?
Sign In

About Pat McGrew

Pat is a well-known evangelist for inkjet productivity. At McGrew Group, she uses her decades technical and marketing experience to lead the industry toward optimized business processes and production workflows. She has helped companies to define their five-year plans, audited workflow processes, and developed sales team interventions and education programs. Pat is the Co-Author of 8 industry books, editor of A Guide to the Electronic Document Body of Knowledge, and a regular contributor to Inkjet Insight and WhatTheyThink.com.

Recent Articles from Pat McGrew

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PlanProphet Brings AI-Powered Tools to Boost Sales and Customer Service Administration

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PlanProphet Brings AI-Powered Tools to Boost Sales and Customer Service Administration

Pat McGrew takes a close look at PlanProphet’s new AI-powered Tools, designed specifically for print businesses, aiming to automate and elevate front office operations. Read More

Hiring? Learn What Gen Z Is Looking For!

Hiring? Learn What Gen Z Is Looking For!

Trying to find a path to the hearts and minds of Gen Z and following cohorts takes some work. Most importantly, it takes an assessment of your current corporate culture through the eyes of a new hire in their first professional job. Here are some things Gen Z says are important. Read More

When Printers Get Together A lot of Insights and Ahas Happen!

When Printers Get Together A lot of Insights and Ahas Happen!

Printers are often invited to join user groups, peer groups, and networking organizations. It’s a pull on time and resources, but is it worth it? In most cases, the answer is a rousing “Yes!” By sharing a table, discussing challenges, trading ideas, and learning how others solve similar challenges, printers can fast-path solutions that help grow their businesses. Read More

Print Management Information Systems' Ehsan Elahi on PrintMIS ePRO Management Software

Print Management Information Systems' Ehsan Elahi on PrintMIS ePRO Management Software

Pat McGrew talks with Ehsan Elahi, Print Management Information Systems, Ltd. UK & Europe, about PrintMIS ePRO management software. Read More

Press Release 101—Even If You Think You Know

Press Release 101—Even If You Think You Know

One of the most effective tools in your marketing box is a press release. It can lift your brand, promote your wins, lift customers, and keep you visible in your market. Sadly, a lot of companies miss the value and the opportunities. Here’s why press releases should be in your arsenal. Read More