Understanding information sprawl and its hidden consequences
No matter what some businesses do, they’re always drowning in a sea of digital assets. Data creation is growing rapidly, encompassing a wide array of documents, files, data, and structured and unstructured information. While digital solutions facilitate vast data management, they also introduce risks associated with information sprawl and inefficient workflows. These risks, often underestimated, can significantly impact organizations at multiple levels.
Inefficient workflow processes can be incredibly frustrating for employees who find themselves piecing together information from various sources. This is also costly for companies experimenting with new applications or introducing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) tools into their workflows, as they sap valuable time and take away from their core responsibilities.
What lies beneath the surface
While the visible costs of information sprawl and inefficient workflows are well-documented—such as audits and inspections, high total cost of projects, and slow pace of information gathering—there are hidden consequences that can severely impede project progress, including:
- Ad hoc search for information: picture a project manager or team member spending an unnecessary amount of time searching for an essential document. Such inefficiencies delay projects and escalate frustrations within the team
- Unexpected project costs: inefficient workflows often result in additional expenses that are not initially accounted for in project budgets. These costs can significantly skew financial projections and the ultimate success of the project
- Employee dissatisfaction and turnover: low morale and a high turnover rate are ripple effects of inefficient workflows. When project teams struggle with information management, job satisfaction, and project success suffer in tandem
- Late delivery and quality issues: all these hidden problems ultimately lead to delays and compromises in project delivery. In a scramble to meet deadlines, the quality of the work may suffer, leading to unsatisfied clients and stakeholders
- Decentralized storage: without centralized storage, assets are scattered across multiple devices or systems, leading to duplicated work and increased costs
- Lack of asset governance: poor control or governance processes lead to outdated or incorrect assets being used, risking brand inconsistency and potential legal issues
The Ideagen OnePlace Solutions approach
Inefficient project management impacts business productivity and the bottom line. The Ideagen OnePlace Solutions approach simplifies project management, enhancing both productivity and profitability. It offers seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps, letting users access project content through familiar tools like Outlook, Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Windows Explorer. For example, with SharePoint document management, organizations benefit from enriched information management, enhanced productivity, efficient document access, intelligent search and filtering, collaborative capabilities, and metadata for compliance.
This suite of solutions revolutionizes how companies manage projects and content within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Ideagen OnePlace Solutions products include:
- OnePlaceMail: seamlessly connects Microsoft Outlook to SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive, improving productivity and records management
- OnePlaceDocs: streamlines document management on SharePoint and Microsoft 365, enriching document handling on Windows Desktop, Adobe PDFs, and Office applications
- OnePlaceLive: tailors business systems on the Microsoft 365 platform, delivering them to users through familiar applications. These solutions optimize efficiency and collaboration, making them indispensable for modern organizations
Say goodbye to information sprawl and hello to information clarity
The hidden toll of information sprawl and inefficient workflows can severely compromise success, and managing a growing collection of assets without a proper system in place can become overwhelming and time-consuming. By incorporating Ideagen OnePlace Solutions, companies can break down silos, enhance collaboration, and revitalize their workflows with minimal effort and cost, ultimately leading to improved efficiency and profitability.
To transform your approach to project management and take the first step toward more efficient, cost-effective, and successful projects, contact us today.
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