Ever notice how the same exact train wreck happens over and over again in business projects?
Here's a scenario: Company decides to upgrade systems, migrate platforms, or build a rad AI solution. Everyone's excited. Timelines are set. Budgets are approved.
Then reality hits. The data is a mess. Absolute garbage. And suddenly, that straightforward project turns into a months-long data cleaning expedition nobody planned for.
The truly mind-boggling part? EVERYONE KNOWS THIS WILL HAPPEN. It's practically guaranteed.
In my old military life, we used Operational Risk Management (ORM) – a simple but effective model that weighs outcome severity against probability, then applies appropriate controls. It actually lets you operate in high-risk environments while managing those risks intelligently.
So I'm left completely baffled when I watch business leaders make this calculation:
"Probability our data is terrible: ~100%"
"Severity: Our team has no idea how bad the situation really is"
Conclusion: "Full speed ahead on that ERP migration. No need forbudget, resources, or planning around data issues. Actually, can we shave another 15% off the cost of the project?"
It's like watching someone plan a sailing excursion during hurricane season. While a hurricane is visibly forming offshore. And even though they’ve already sunk their last two boats, they are offended at a suggestion that their risk assessment might be a little off.
It’s easy to pick on data problems because they are so ubiquitous. But humans are notoriously bad at estimating risk , and too often this goes beyond that into willful delusion. Maybe because acknowledging the underlying problem would make it real, so everyone pretends it doesn't exist until it derails the entire project.
So before you launch that next big system migration, platform change, or AI initiative – do yourself a favor. Assume your data is worse than you think. Budget for it. Plan for it. Staff for it.
Or don't. And join the endless parade of projects that crash into the same wall, looking surprised every single time.
If you need some outside perspective on navigating over, under, or around your wall rather than straight into it, GxSpeed can help.
April 2025
Author: Josh Ensign