3. Monsters in Disguise (Werewolves):
- Horror Trope: Werewolves look normal by day but transform under specific conditions.
- Data Lesson: Your data quality might look fine on the surface, but upon closer inspection or under certain conditions (e.g., specific filters or aggregations), issues might arise. Always test and review your data under various scenarios.
4. The Uninvited Guest (Vampires):
- Horror Trope: Vampires can't enter a house unless invited.
- Data Lesson: Implement strong security measures. Don't allow unauthorised access to sensitive data. Use permissions, authentications, and encryptions.
5. The Curse that Spreads (The Ring's Video Tape):
- Horror Trope: Watching a cursed videotape leads to a chain of unfortunate events.
- Data Lesson: A small error in your master data or code can propagate and lead to a cascade of problems downstream. Ensure quality control and thorough reviews to prevent the spread of "cursed" master data.
6. The Unknown Origin (Ghost Stories):
- Horror Trope: Ghosts often have unresolved pasts that lead to their haunting.
- Data Lesson: Document your data sources and methodologies. Without proper documentation, you're left with "ghost data" where you're unsure of its origin or how it was processed.
7. Communication with Spirits (Ouija Boards):
- Horror Trope: Ouija boards serve as a tool to communicate with spirits, but not always accurately.
- Data Lesson: Ensure clear channels of communication with data owners. Miscommunication or misunderstanding can lead to "haunting" mistakes in analysis or interpretation.
8. The Unexpected Twist (Plot Twists):
- Horror Trope: The storyline takes a sudden and unexpected turn, changing the audience's perspective.
- Data Lesson: Be open to insights that challenge your preconceptions. Sometimes data analytics reveals a twist, showing a different narrative than initially believed. This is why you need a secure data strategy to support you through all twists and turns.
9. The Alluring Call of Sirens
- Horror Trope: Sirens, often depicted as enchanting creatures, would sing mesmerising songs to lure sailors to their doom. The sailors, captivated by the siren's song, would navigate towards the source, only to be met with treacherous rocks or direct danger.
- Data Lesson: New tools, methodologies, or trending analyses can act as 'siren songs,' enticing businesses and individuals to adopt them without due consideration. It's easy to get caught up in the buzz or chatter surrounding a new data innovation, but diving in blindly can lead to wasted resources or misguided decisions. Always revisit your data strategy and objectives before being swayed by the latest trends. Assess if the 'alluring call' aligns with your needs and if it's a suitable fit for your organisational goals. Avoid being seduced by the 'latest and greatest' without ensuring it serves your purpose.
Remember, just as a good horror story requires careful crafting and attention to detail, so does good data management and analysis.
Don't let your data play tricks on you. Treat yourself to our guide on Implementing a Modern Data Ecosystem and keep the data monsters away!
