The obsession with "guaranteeing" data accuracy is a trap—perfect data doesn’t exist. Rather than chasing an illusion, focus on decision-quality data that’s good enough to act on. Yes, validate your sources and clean up your data, but understand even Amazon and Google deal with dirty data. Jeff Bezos once said, "If you wait for 100% certainty, you’re too late." The goal should be continuous improvement, not perfection. Start with what you have, refine along the way, and course-correct as needed.

This is a fascinating topic because what most companies and industries have a lot of is data. Here are the rules that we use in my teams when we deal with data: 1) ask the "So What?" question every time you create an analysis 2) consider context. For example, what happened during those years in the economy? Was that the year pre/post covid? Were the interest rates decreasing? 3) compare different sources 4) find out what the data is including or excluding and how it was gathered (perhaps the sample is biased or excluding important sets) 5) if your sample is limited and rather annecdotal, disclose it. Ultimately, strategy is exactly that: making sense of disparate, sometimes incomplete sets of data and arriving to a relevant conclusion

To ensure data accuracy and integrity in strategic planning, start by sourcing data from reliable, up-to-date databases and verifying it through cross-referencing. Implement data governance practices, such as standardized data entry, regular audits, and automated error checks, to maintain consistency. Use data validation tools and involve multiple stakeholders to review and confirm critical data points. By fostering a culture of accuracy and employing rigorous quality controls, you can trust your data to inform sound strategic decisions.

Primero, establece fuentes confiables para la recopilación de datos. Verifica que los datos provengan de fuentes actualizadas y bien reputadas. La clave es confiar en información precisa y verificable. Luego, implementa procesos de validación de datos. Utiliza herramientas de análisis que detecten inconsistencias y errores. Mantén revisiones periódicas y auditables para asegurar que la integridad de los datos se mantenga intacta. La rigurosidad y la constancia son esenciales para un análisis estratégico sólido. ????

To ensure data accuracy and integrity in strategic planning, I start by establishing clear data governance protocols, including standardized data collection methods. I implement regular audits and validation checks to identify and correct errors. Collaborating with cross-functional teams helps ensure diverse perspectives and data sources are considered. Additionally, I leverage reliable tools and technologies for data analysis, providing transparency in the process and fostering a culture of accountability.