Data for Action

“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”

Information management expert Rob Johnson uses this quote from Sherlock Holmes to remind us that “even today decision makers need all the evidence before taking action or enacting policy. Information managers need to stress that information is a business asset just like the buildings, the IT equipment or the people. What you create may be useful to others down the line, but if it’s locked away in a personal drive or labelled incorrectly the potential value is diminished”.

We need a general change in attitudes, so that people think about the wider value of the information they are generating and processing. It's on all of us to realize that what we do with information may be part of a much bigger picture that we can't see – or that hasn't yet come into being,

By the way, Sherlock’s use of the word “capital” means “punishable by the death penalty”. I don't think we can really implement that. National Archives UK