Data Traps: Breaking Free
Data Trap [dey-tuh trap, dat-uh trap]
Noun
- Tracking data for the sake of tracking and using more resources than the actual project would have taken.
Information overload is a risk to grantmakers and grantseekers as they navigate the shift from transactional to transformational philanthropy. Collecting, analyzing, and using data to document impact is becoming increasingly important as grantmakers and grantseekers feel the need to garner support for their work. It can be easy to become overwhelmed dealing with data and even easier to fall into these data traps:
Collection V. Chaos
THE TRAP: Collecting information and siloing it into various spreadsheets, data sets, survey results, grant reports, or the institutional memory and experiences of program staff becomes an unsustainable way to track success or impact. Not to mention the additional resource capacity it takes.
THE SOLUTION: Create a “one-stop shop” for data and information. Set tools and systems in place for storing and sharing knowledge. The best data collection efforts occur at the point of service or program delivery, continue through conclusion and include post-reflection opportunity. The best strategy for data collection is to do so in conversation with those doing the data collection and make sure there are established next steps. Make data collection intentional and thoughtful.
Looking for your peers’ favored collection methods?
Big Data V. Useful Data
THE TRAP: Asking too many of the wrong questions to obtain as much data as possible.
THE SOLUTION: Determine what is useful to your organization and its stakeholders. Understand your resources, how you will use the data, and what you want to accomplish before spending time and resources collecting the data. Spend time thinking about why you need the information you are collecting and what you will do with it prior to collecting it. Then, turn what you have collected into useful information. This can help you iterate and improve on your process.
Capsizing your Capacity V. Capping Capacity
THE TRAP: Overcommitting to the amount of data that can be tracked and collected with limited resources: skilled staff, technology, and time.
THE SOLUTION: Think of your capacity when setting expectations or making a commitment. Check your resources. Do you have the capacity to thoroughly review the data that comes in? Do your grantees have the resources to gain the capacity to collect and track more? It’s not only a question of resources spent on tracking impacts and outcomes, but also of how we’re compensating the people asked to continually do more with less.
If you're going to collect data and information as an expression of outcomes and impact, ensure there is someone to make use of it; and that the information itself is useful.
Closed door V. Open door policy
THE TRAP: Making the assumption that what your organization is doing is not useful or helpful to other organizations.
THE SOLUTION: Be transparent about what you will do with the information you collect. Share it with your board, your partners, the field. Also be transparent with grantees and communicate expectations. Be intentional. Shifting word usage can help give a better representation of funders intent. Is it time to reframe the conversation?
And don’t forget, data collection is all about learning... welcome surprises and stay open-minded about results!
