Data, Information, Intelligence

How many hours have you spent trolling through the internet, doing "research" on a particular company or industry? Many people spend too much time on research, and put off making a decision or acting on it.

The reason? Most people are averse to risk. We rationalize that with more information, there is a lower risk of failure. But how do we know when we've done enough research? Consider the Data-Information-Intelligence model: instead of making a quantum leap between Data Gathering and Action - we break it down into steps:

Data Gathering: Decide what you need to collect, then obtain it from your workplace, friends, the internet, library, or other sources. Don't waste time in pre-data-gathering activities - such as "internet surfing". Write down what you're looking for on a piece of paper, then when you have found the data, move on.

Information: As it is collected, organize the Data into logical groupings: Pros/Cons, History/Current status, By divisions, By Country, or whatever seems to make sense. Look to see if there are any patterns to the information that you have collected.

Intelligence: Change from an information organizer to an intelligence analyst: What does the information mean? What are the implications? Are there any trends? If there are any gaping questions that are unanswered, ask if more data will help you make your decision. If yes, then get it; if not, then it is time to act.

This week's action item: Whenever you need to do research this week, make sure that you move through intelligence - otherwise you'll never get to Action.

Special note: Randall Craig will be running his Personal Performance Work-Life Balance Seminar in the Downtown Toronto area, on both Nov. 23 and Nov. 28, 6:30pm-8:30pm. For information or to register, please go to www.LeavingTheMotherShip.com.

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Copyright © 2006 Knowledge to Action Press and Randall Craig. All rights reserved.

Publication Date: November 21, 2006