In a recent poll we conducted of environmental, health and safety (EHS) professionals, 39% of respondents indicated that data accuracy was the biggest data quality huddle that they faced.
So, what is data accuracy? Data accuracy is one of the “six dimensions” of data quality and it can be defined as the “degree to which the data correctly describes the ‘real world’ objects being described.” This definition makes it easy to see how poor data accuracy could greatly impact your ability to use your data effectively.
As EHS technologies have become more prevalent in the EHS landscape, so has the “golden ticket fallacy.” Many companies implement the newest software and technology with the idea that once the new tech is up and running, there will be gold rush of data to influence the EHS programs. However, that is not typically how things pan out. More often, the new technology is implemented and as data comes rolling in there is missing information, incorrectly utilized fields/forms and a general hodge-podge of information.
Since most EHS data, whether it be leading or lagging, is entered manually by employees in the field, data accuracy presents a particular challenge. In the article, “Data Accuracy and the Golden Ticket Fallacy” published by ISHN, we outline a major reason why data accuracy issues occur and how you can turn the tides.
