The Rule of 100 and 1,000 and automation
I originally coined the rule of 100 and 1,000 in relationship to data conversion (here and here). I extended that rule to ongoing data management here.
The rule of 100 and 1,000 can also be applied to automation. Simply put, if you're managing fewer than 100 records for some process (e.g., accepting 50 submissions for an awards program), it's probably not going to be worth the effort to automate most of that process. But if you're receiving over a thousand submissions, you're definitely going to want to automate the process as much as possible.
In fact, for automation, I might adjust the rule to 100 and 500, especially if there are multiple steps in the process (e.g., submission, review, multiple communications with applicants, etc.).
It often doesn't make sense (in terms of time and money) to automate a process that can be managed manually. And definitely don't automate for the sake of automation.
The rule of 100 and 500 might help you decide whether or not to automate a process.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Once it’s lost, trust can be difficult to regain
Once it’s lost, trust can be difficult to regain I recall hearing once long ago […]
Share your successes!
Share your successes! I was speaking at an association meeting recently and one of the points […]
What are YOUR data integrity reports?
What are YOUR data integrity reports? Sitting in an AMS demo with a client recently, […]
You might have to do SOME of the work yourself!
You might have to do SOME of the work yourself! Many, many years ago I […]
Don’t manage to the exception!
Don’t manage to the exception! One of the universal truths about data management is, wherever possible, […]
It’s always about improvement
It’s always about improvement Talking with a client recently, she expressed frustration about one particular project […]
Don’t be a hoarder!
Don’t be a hoarder! The simple truth is that it’s almost “free” to collect data. […]
With data analytics (as with most things), keep it simple!
With data analytics (as with most things), keep it simple! Over the past several years […]
Don’t forget about periodic maintenance
Don’t forget about periodic maintenance Just as most automobiles need periodic maintenance, keeping your data as […]
Users Groups are ALWAYS Valuable
Users Groups are ALWAYS Valuable I am a huge fan of users groups. (Here’s a […]