Are lazy BI practices getting the best of your team? It’s not uncommon for teams to become entrenched in their usual way of doing things, particularly when repeatable and seemingly mundane tasks are involved. There is always an opportunity for growth and process improvement in any team, but a case of lazy BI can make any new methods or change difficult to implement.
If you’re looking to ignite change, don’t worry, best practices are always here to lend a hand with everything from data sources to server management. Whether you’re dealing with the self-taught BI wizard of the team or just a tired coworker, here are some strategies that can help.
If You’re New to the Team
Before we jump into strategies, if you’re in the unique situation of being new to the team, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Though it might be easier for you to see where improvements need to be made as an outside source, it’s important to establish rapport with your teammates before rushing to make changes.
Begin by observing and make note of potential adjustments to workflows or processes. Additionally, be inquisitive and ask questions to figure out the why behind methods that aren’t considered to be best practice. After you’ve allowed some time to get a feel for the entirety of the situation, consider these methods when developing your approach.
Why Change if Nothing’s Broken?
Why should you do things differently if your current methods are getting the job done? Don’t be surprised if you receive the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality in response. This is a common and natural resistance to changes proposed, the way you go about bringing people on board is essential.
Use the Laziness to Your Advantage
It’s not uncommon for new processes or best practices to be swept under the rug following their initial introduction. While new ways of doing things might be more efficient and a good idea on paper, no change can survive without successful adoption from the majority.
The key is appealing to less work and effort exerted in the future. Even though it might take time to adjust and create increased work for your team initially, it’s important to emphasize the mass amounts of time they will save in the future.
In this approach, you’ll be responding to the age-old question of “what’s in it for me?”
Though best practices are better for productivity and the organization as a whole, how will these changes directly benefit those involved? Appealing to the desire at an individual level will increase your chances of successful implementation.
Start Small
The key to any kind of change is to start small. Upheaving the old methods to make way for new ones is extremely disruptive and can be overwhelming to most. Starting small will increase your chances of a successful adoption.
Find something small your team can achieve or begin to change. This is the same philosophy people use when altering their life by doing something as simple as making your bed each day. Though it is a small task, it helps those involved to feel accomplished. This makes one more likely to be productive elsewhere in their day as well as being open to greater change.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s important to remember that there is no ironclad rule or gold standard for the successful adoption of new methods. There is no absolute anecdote or cure to a case of lazy BI. Regardless of which strategies or tactics you’re using to influence change, every team is different in the way they learn and adapt. Each scenario bears its own unique characteristics in terms of behavior, environment, and the topic of change itself. As a leader and a teammate, it’s up to you to access these factors and strategize your approach accordingly.
