10.7 ESTABLISH LINKS TO DATA ADMINISTRATORS

< Day Day Up >

Once you know, in detail, the kind of information that is available you will need to form a link to the people who are responsible for administering the data collection systems that exist within the organization.

Obviously, you may already have been talking to these people as part of previous tasks but this now needs to be formalized. You should document your requirements on them and have them formally agree to those requirements. There seems to be two extreme reactions to such a request for data. On one hand, you may be seen as a major inconvenience: some data administrators do seem to take the view that life would be wonderful if only they did not have to put up with users. Remember, it is their system and you want something from them so be polite, be diplomatic but be prepared to use any clout you have if necessary! On the other hand, you may find that the administrator goes into paroxysms of joy at the thought of somebody actually using the data that they collect and analyze. If this does happen then build on it, do not destroy it with comments like, "well, you obviously need some help on this." You may laugh, and I have no wish to patronize, but I have seen potentially fruitful relationships destroyed by a single such comment.

Above all, be generous with acknowledgment and thanks. If someone helps you then say so, publicly and often.

< Day Day Up >