Why is the information distorted by up to 93.75%?

 

“I firmly believe in one simple thing: the most reliable way to distinguish your company from competitors, to break away from the crowd of pursuers, is to organize your work with information well.” (Bill Gates) Information is one of the most incomprehensible and ambiguously defined concepts. In a broad sense, "Information" is information obtained regardless of the form of its presentation. But it's all about this form of representation.… If I say "tea", then it is most likely a cup of tea, but it may well be that it is the leaf of the tea bush itself. The worst thing is that “popularly” “tea” usually means ANY drink made by brewing pre–prepared vegetable material (is a decoction of currant leaves tea?). Thanks to the efforts of marketers, Lipton in a bottle has also become tea.

The problem is that different forms of information presentation not only interfere with interaction, but reduce the importance of information to zero. Communication almost always takes place according to the following scenario: the presentation of the initial information is simplified, one word is replaced by another – "more understandable" (naturally, according to the person who transmits this information) and, finally, the most delicious thing is that "own conclusions" (and their own meaning!) are inserted into the information. Such processing gives its "fruits" – we get completely new information! Or maybe misinformation?… It depends on who gets this information, right? Standardized presentation of information

In other words, if we want to achieve minimal distortion, then the information must have a standardized representation! This is the main condition for transmitting information! And when it comes to measurable information, it's not just a "standardized representation in the form of numbers." There have been cases when accountants and financiers in different companies, understanding the same economic term slightly differently, prepared official reports in which this numerical indicator differed by 50%. 50! A single representation is not only a single visual or conceptual representation, it is a representation down to a clear terminological basis – up to the strict definitions described in the documentation. Ideally - COMMUNICATION REGULATIONS (regulated rules of communication within the company). In this case, we have a prerequisite for converting Information into Data.

Information data

Generally speaking, the term "Data" in managerial slang is increasingly used in the sense of the word "Information". The fact is that "Data" (in a broad sense) is recorded information presented in the form of facts, concepts, or instructions in a form acceptable for communication, interpretation, or processing by humans, or by automated means. There are already 3 points recorded in this description of the term: - Availability of storage space ("registered information").

- A fairly clear idea ("facts, concepts, or instructions").

- Purpose ("communication, interpretation, processing").

The value of the concept of "Data" is that data is an expression of the usefulness and the possibility of using information. For example, not all information is "Data". A typical example of something that does NOT belong to the "Data" category is an incomplete formulation of the problem. For example, "Prepare a report for me for the past year." What is the purpose of the report? Just information — then you will get just numbers! But if I, the Executor of this report, know that a decision will be made based on this report? For example, based on this report, a PLAN is being set for my department! This means that it is important to INTERPRET the data CORRECTLY so that a profitable decision is made (question: who benefits? FOR ME!). Is there a clear enough report form? There is! Are all the positions listed in this form?...Well, not really... that's good! What ONLY I know, ONLY I control TOO. Is there a fixed storage location?... But the route maps do not say where the document should be stored after it is sent to the management. Therefore, it will be KEPT BY ME! Free access to the document? I'm not an idiot to expose myself!))) Who am I? The performer? Nothing like that!… I AM THE CREATOR!

In general, it is these parameters – the availability of a storage location, the presentation and purpose of (transmitting) information – that determine how and in what way information is distorted during the transition from one person to another. It is important to understand that information will be distorted IN ANY CASE — this is especially evident when setting a task, when the task is given to the head, and he, in turn, puts it to his subordinates - in this case, we already have 2 distortions of information. And if 3-4 senior managers participated in the transfer of information, then very little remains of the initial information.… The degree of distortion depends on the number of transmission links.