The Dark Side of Data

Data-centricity

Organisations are tripping over themselves to become data-centric.  They are busy investing in business intelligence and analytical infrastructures.  There is a thriving market for analysts and data scientists, accountants and actuaries, people who can pore over the numbers and provide insight. Data is the new gold, businesses are spending money like drunk sailors.

Data is a force for good.  Isn’t it?

Well, sort of…

At the risk of sounding like a prize nerd I’m going to use an analogy.  The analogy is “the force” in the Star Wars movies.  Data, like the force, is a powerful thing, but it has a dark side.  It can destroy an organisation just as quickly as it can help one.

The light side

Your business cannot hope to be successful if you don’t use data:

• It lets you test and learn
• It allows you to diagnose problems
• With it you can measure performance
• It can predict the future
• Without it you can’t improve

In God we trust, all others bring data ~ W. Edwards Deming

The dark side

But in the hands of some, data is a very dangerous thing:

• It can be used to subjugate and control
• It can disguise the truth
• It allows blame and punishment
• It will drag you off track
• And mislead you
• Or lull you into a false sense of security
• It makes grown men cheat and lie

Should you use data?

Of course you should.  But are you planning to use it as a stick to hit people with or a torch to illuminate the way?

Are you strong enough to use data wisely?

The force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded ~ Ben Kenobi

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Image by jmm