As well as analysing how processes fit together, and data moves around, business organisations also invest considerable time and effort in ensuring that the data itself is understood. For example, a company will try to ensure that it stores only one - correct - version of each customer's address; this means that changing a customer's address should be quick and easy.
In schools similar principles apply. The techniques of data analysis (normalisation) are unnecessary for the majority of teachers, and we can apply common sense principles to ensure we work efficiently. The most important principles regarding data (information) are:
a) make sure that you know exactly what each piece of information means
b) wherever possible, make and record measurements to reflect teaching and learning
c) record each piece of information in as few places as possible, so there is ideally only one place to be updated
d) store information electronically and back it up regularly
Note 1: the distinction between data and information is not directly relevant to most teachers, but we are nevertheless asked about it sometimes. We've therefore offered a basic explanation here.
Note 2: yes, we know that 'data' is the plural of 'datum' and should therefore be followed by a plural verb. We is just bad.