The old adage says, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." But collecting data on your business is only half the battle. Unless those "measurements" are also consistent, accurate, and organized, you wont be able to report on them, leaving you with effectively no data at all.
Keeping their metrics consistent, however, can be a huge challenge, especially for companies that rely on data that's collected out in the field. Now that (virtually) everyone has a smartphone in their pocket at all times, this task is getting easier - namely because companies can start utilizing mobile data collection forms.
If your company is already using data collection forms to organize metrics from the field, this post will give you insight on how best to optimize the way you collect and organize this data. If your brand is new to mobile data collection forms, you'll learn exactly why they're so important!
What Are Data Collection Forms?
Data collection forms are a way for teams to collect a set of standard information - teams ranging from census takers to home inspectors to salespeople. Even voting ballots are a type of data collection form! They allow companies to keep control and consistency when collecting data out in the field, as well as organize the constant stream of data pouring in.
5 Benefits of Digital Data Collection Forms
1. Consistency
Using standardized data collection forms ensures consistency across the type and quality of data your team collects. Digital data collection forms propose a set of questions that guide employees to record the exact information you need as a manager. Plus, certain systems will allow you to mark certain fields as required, and different question formats give you even further control into the type of data allowed.
2. Analyzability
One of the biggest hurdles for companies looking to run analysis on their business metrics os a lack of standardization. Because data collection forms ensure consistency, you'll be able to run reports on your performance without having to spend time cleaning up the data first. This helps companies make smarter, more agile decisions based on their data from the field.
3. Accessibility
Using digital data collection forms is especially valuable because they can communicate data instantly. Cloud-based systems, for example, can sync information as soon as it is collected, allowing managers to report and react on a minute-by-minute basis, instead of waiting to receive emails or transcribe paper-based surveys.
4. Mobility
If using data collection forms is good and using digital ones is better, using mobile data collection forms is best. Teams that have access to data collection forms on their smartphones are much more likely to record data as soon as they observe it. Not only does this help them work more efficiently, but it also helps keep data accurate. Plus the easier it is to record data in the first place, the more likely they are to capture details.
5. Sustainability
The average office worker uses 10,000 pieces of paper a year! Multiply that by all the workers in your company and you’re looking at a small forest. The worst part is that 45% of paper printed in offices ends up thrown away by the end of the day, found Paperless Project. One tree only produces 8,333 sheets of paper and the average cost of a wasted page $0.06. Those stats weigh heavily on your wallet and on the environment. In our eco-friendly age, digital data collection forms are a practical way to cut back on paper and office waste as well as reduce spending.
Transitioning to Digital Data Collection Forms
The hardest part about change is getting the process in motion. When making the switch to digital data colleciton forms, it is important to convert earlier paper files to create a central library of records. Draft your forms before hand and carefully consider the data, file types, and different fields that will be accounted for. The process will involve a cleanse of your current data and set precedent for further collection and logging.
In our modernized and global world, data collection forms make sense. They reflect a sense of social responsibility as an effort to reduce waste and consumption, as well as a strategic business decision. All communication becomes virtual at some point, so why not have all your information in a place that is retrievable from any location, at any time?
