Changing Data into Usable Information

 Data are simply facts or figures — bits of information, but not information itself. When data are processed, interpreted, organized, structured or presented so as to make them meaningful or useful, they are called information. Information provides context for data....                    Source "www.diffen.com/difference/Data_vs_Information"

This is not a new topic but i still find people can tell the difference between the two sources. Although each Business differs and different departments look at different aspects it will eaiter be Data or Information.

The problem is most people struggle to filter data into USEABLE Information. There is a reason why USEABLE is all in Upper Case. If data is processed and turned into Information and is not used then why do it?

This either means the information is not usable or the person asking for the information does not know what to do with it and just need the information for a report or to resend for the sake of sending

This is a sickness everywhere, not only in the work place but all over the world. Data can be found everywhere but if this is not filtered and shown in a easy to understand way the whole process was just a waste of time and money

If you only take one thing from this article - let it be this "Data does not always mean Information"

Example: looking at world statistics on vehicle incidents. Data collected per country combined indicated that there where 5 Million deaths on the roads - Shocking....But does this mean anything to you? The answer is simple, no it doesn't. Although a lot of work, effort and money went into gathering this data, is this raw form, it doesn't help anyone. Why is this?

Like the picture above indicates, machines loves date, humans need Information

Lets use the same Example but processed the data. After data was assessed the following information was published. Out of the 5 million road deaths, 90% was due to people driving above the speed limit and the other 10% due to the use of a mobile device

Looking at the same data but processed we now see that the main issue for the deaths are speeding and use of mobile devices while driving. This is usable information for any business seeing that you can act proactive on this

Looking at the evolution of mankind - each business needs to be able to understand the difference between data and information and apply all efforts on processing data into usable information - This information should also be presented in such a way that any person can at a glance see what is the issue, impact and way forward to improve or correct it. If you like it or not - we are in the Cyber Era and it will only evolve just like mankind below. Doesn't matter how old we get, we need to learn, change and adapt if we want to exist