Calories in Data: Measure the Value of Information in Aviation!

In today’s digital age, we often hear that data is the new fuel—the food that powers modern ERP systems. Just like how we count calories in our meals, we should measure the "calories" in the data we generate. It’s not about whether we are producing X KB or Y MB of data; it’s about the significance of each data set. The question isn’t how much data we’re collecting, but how valuable that data is and what impact it has on our operations.

?The Caloric Value of Data in Aviation

In the world of aircraft maintenance, let’s take a tech logbook as an example. It’s one of the primary sources of data for an airline’s maintenance department, with over 144 different fields capturing information about the aircraft’s condition. While digitalization is transforming how we handle these logbooks, it raises a key question: Do all 144 fields carry the same weight? The answer is no.

Let’s consider two examples from the logbook: OOOI (Out, Off, On, In) timing and fuel consumption values. OOOI timing, which records the exact times an aircraft pushes back, takes off, lands, and arrives at the gate, is vital for tracking flight operations and regulatory compliance. Its importance cascades across multiple departments—maintenance planning, crew management, and even passenger services. On the other hand, fuel consumption data, though valuable, may not trigger the same immediate response or be as widely used across departments.

This difference in relevance highlights a critical concept: data gravity. Some data sets pull more importance, influence more decisions, and have longer-lasting impacts than others.

Understanding the Journey of Data Elements

A deliberate effort should be made to map the journey of each data element in a transaction. Not all data is created equal, and we must perform a thorough analysis of what each data point contributes, its relevance, and how long it needs to be retained.

In the digital world, we are moving away from physical records to online systems, but there’s more to this shift than just transferring data. Current regulations dictate how long transactional documents must be preserved, but in a digital ecosystem, we should ask: Which specific data fields require long-term storage? For example, an aircraft defect entry might need to be archived for several years, while other operational details might only be relevant for a short period.

To manage this, airlines need to start thinking about data at the field level, not just the transaction level. This shift in mindset is crucial as we streamline operations through ERP systems.

?Processing Data Based on Its Value

Just as we consume food based on its caloric content, we should process and manage data based on its digital value. It’s not the quantity of data that matters but its quality and gravity. The more critical and cascading the impact of the data, the higher its "caloric" value. Airlines that build data lakes or implement sophisticated analytics platforms must look at their data with this mindset—prioritizing not just storage but also the effective use of high-gravity data points.

As we progress from paper-based to digital environments, airlines need to refine their data strategies, ensuring that the most important information is stored, processed, and archived appropriately. Just like how we balance our diet by understanding the nutrients in each meal, airlines must balance their data management practices by understanding the gravity of each data field.

In summary, the future of digital transformation in aviation maintenance depends on valuing data for more than its size. By identifying and managing the caloric value of each piece of data, airlines can create more efficient, compliant, and data-driven operations.