You might be surprised to find us talking about COATs

After all, we’re not clothes store or outdoor specialists.

And as much as we love a new winter jacket, our COAT is somewhat different to an elegant trenchcoat or cosy parka.

COAT is a proprietary framework created by Susan Walsh, developed to ensure data remains clean, accurate and usable. This methodology is a cornerstone of The Classification Guru’s approach, enabling organisations to save time and money by maintaining high-quality data standards. Yes, it’s an acronym. And no, it’s not complicated.

Read on to learn more about the COAT framework, how we use it and what it can do for YOUR data.

What is the COAT framework?

COAT, is a powerful yet simple framework that ensures your team’s data is Consistent, Organised, Accurate and Trustworthy. Adopting COAT can significantly reduce data inconsistencies and errors, resulting in a more efficient and reliable data management process.

Think of it this way. You probably have more than one person inputting data or working in a shared spreadsheet or database. But these different people will all have their own way of doing things, which might be preferences for small details such as ampersands or the word ‘and’. Or it might be abbreviations. But this spells trouble and leads to inconsistencies and differences of opinion, resulting in dirty data. And that dirty data can be tough to manage. The COAT methodology helps with this.

Here’s how:

How can I use COAT?

The COAT framework is wonderfully adaptable and can be used in many different ways, such as:

• a personal project you want to keep on track
• managing a team and keeping everyone aligned
• getting the whole organisation on board with better quality data.

We designed the COAT framework with data and non-data professionals in mind. It’s here to get everyone on board with better data quality practices.

Is COAT relevant for my business?

Absolutely! The COAT framework is relevant for all businesses. You might be a solo business owner, SME, charity or global corporation; it doesn’t matter – having the best practice in place is always a good idea. Clean data saves everyone time, money, and stress!

Find out more by reading all about the dangers of dirty data.

Is COAT a one-off process?

Although COAT can be applied to a one-off project, you’ll see better results if you integrate COAT into your processes and workflows. This will keep your data clean, meaning better accuracy and avoiding an expensive clean-up operation further down the line.

Why is consistency important for data?

Without consistent data, there will be multiple duplicates or near duplicates. This can make it confusing for your team to identify the correct record or item. This, in turn, could lead to problems such as shipping the wrong item to a customer, purchasing an item in the wrong dimensions, or interpreting a word in different ways.

Why is it important for data to be organised?

Let’s go back to the closet analogy again. Having your data organised by country/region/department will make finding the information you need easier. For example, if your boss asks, “How much did we spend with customer x in Europe last year?” you’ll be able to pull that data quickly and panic-free – making you look like a data superstar. Over time, having organised data will save you untold hours and days searching for the correct data, helping you work more efficiently, achieve more, and even finish your work more quickly!

Why is it important for data to be accurate?

The most important reason for data accuracy is for regulatory reasons or privacy laws like GDPR. Inaccurate data can mean huge fines and reputational damage, which can be hard to recover from. But really, it’s just the right thing to do. And as if that wasn’t enough, having accurate data means you can have faith in the data you’re analysing. Who wants to be second-guessing their data all the time?

Why is trust important for data?

If you don’t trust the data you are working with, you’re on shaky ground. How can you carry out essential business processes such as forecasting, budgeting, negotiating with suppliers, maximising cost savings, targeting the right clients, or even shipping the correct products?

If you make decisions based on untrustworthy data, you risk losing credibility with your peers, your organisation and even worse, your customers.  Is that a risk worth taking?

Why should I use COAT?

Use the COAT framework, and you’ll benefit from:

• Fewer errors
• Less time spent correcting mistakes
• More time to spend on more important tasks
• A more efficient team
• Quicker employee onboarding
• Less downtime
• Increased profitability
• Improved regulatory compliance.

Need we say more? Ok, then, how about an easier life?

Simply put, using the COAT framework makes working with data easier and more efficient for a more profitable and compliant organisation.

Who is COAT for?

COAT was designed to help manage data governance for everyone. Whether you’re the CEO or receptionist, COAT will make your job easier – you don’t need to be a data professional to benefit from COAT! It was designed to be simple and memorable. This way, everyone can use it, regardless of skill level or knowledge. And who knows, you may even have some fun along the way!

Curious to know more about how the COAT data management framework could support your business? Get in touch with us today!