I've always been a "right tool for the job" guy - I use SQL, SAS, MapInfo, Tableau, Excel, PowerPoint, or whatever it takes to get the job done. Often, I will rely on multiple tools for a single task, but I have never sat down and thoughtfully considered how I can get tools to live in harmony.
Here's my first go at it - my top 10 tool harmony ideas:
- Cost
- If I have to buy an additional license, then that's not harmonious.
- New, New Thing
- Unless you want to support it yourself for the long haul, avoid any new tool
- Naming
- As you jump from tool to tool, can you follow the data path? Is the same variable called the same thing in all tools?
- Value Add Trail
- The whole point of using multiple tools is to do something in one tool that is superior to another.
- If a tool feeds another tool, then clarify the value add trail - ensure that you remember where one tool starts and ends.
- Use the other tool name in a variable name:
- MapInfo_DMA_Response_Rate
- SAS_Response_Model_Score
- Calculate as Much as Possible at the Source
- There's no sense in making a custom calculation that does the same thing in all tools - that's not efficient and runs the risk of having them not coordinated.
- If using a database, use a view
- Sourcing from a view is an easy way to keep multiple tools coordinated. You can insert custom calculations, rename variables, and coordinate multi-tool filters (where clause).
- It also provides a strong baseline that anyone can follow.
- Standardize Colors
- Make sure blue and red have the same visual metaphor across all tools.
- Create a creative template
- Ensure fonts, design colors, logos, etc. are uniformly applied.
- QA
- Check the data inputs - are the row numbers and a total sum of a handful of columns foot between each tool?
- Check the calculations - is response rate consistently calculated?
- Don't over do it
- Really, you can do it all in one tool. Check Google - someone has done it before.
Carl
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