What data entry errors are really hiding

At a time when companies are heavily investing in the digitisation of their processes via ERP systems, data quality has become a central concern. Yet a persistent belief remains across many business units: that a data error is an isolated, minor incident, easily reversible. In reality, these errors are rarely harmless. They are embedded in complex processing chains, trigger cascading effects, involve multiple resources… and their correction can prove far more costly than their prevention.

In this article :

An isolated error masks broader consequences
A technical fix is not enough
Manual intervention weighs down processes
Late corrections distort decisions
A warning sign of ERP maturity

1. An isolated error masks broader consequences

When an error is identified, such as a wrong purchasing category, incorrect date or misreferenced project, it’s often viewed as a one-off issue. But these errors are usually the visible tip of a series of faulty records, automated validations or multiple dependencies within the system.

A poor data entry can replicate across other linked modules or databases: budgeting, accounting, analytics, or even logistics. Correction then goes beyond the initial user’s scope and requires a chain of interventions across several functional levels.

2. A technical fix is not enough

Correcting an error in a form field does not necessarily resolve all the consequences it triggered. A misallocated expense may have already sent a supplier notification, fed into a report, or been included in a financial statement. The technical data can be amended, but the business information remains affected.

Decisions made based on that data : approvals, commitments, allocations,… leave a trace within the processes. And even once corrected, there’s no guarantee that the use made of the data has been revised or cancelled in due time.

3. Manual intervention weighs down processes

Data errors are rarely picked up automatically. They are often detected afterwards, during checks, discrepancies or field-level misunderstandings. Their correction then requires escalation to support, investigation, validation, and sometimes unlocking or back-office operations.

Each error therefore consumes disproportionate human time compared to the initial entry. In a context of resource optimisation, these correction tasks become a source of invisible but structural value loss.

4. Late corrections distort decisions

The real danger of data errors lies not in their technical fix, but in their late detection. When they are discovered after a report has been submitted to management, a period has been closed, or an audit has begun, correcting them becomes insufficient to reverse the consequences.

Incorrect data can skew forecasts, lead to poor decisions or trigger false alerts. In integrated systems like ERPs, the effect of an error spreads rapidly, well before it is even noticed.

5. A warning sign of ERP maturity

Lastly, recurring data entry errors in an ERP system often point to a broader issue: lack of training, unclear rules, unintuitive interfaces, or operational pressure. It’s not just users who make mistakes, processes and organisations often enable them.

Even a minor data error is a valuable indicator of an organisation’s digital maturity. The apparent ease of fixing it should not mask the need to understand its root cause, nor the potential consequences it may have on overall performance.

Conclusion

Believing that a data error is easy to fix is to underestimate the complexity and interdependence of processes within an ERP. Every technical correction hides business impacts, consumes human resources, and undermines the reliability of the entire system. It is therefore essential to move beyond this misconception and view data quality as a strategic lever in its own right.

👉 Our next article will focus on why every data point matters, even in day-by-day operations

The Shortways Solution

Shortways Assistant is a digital adoption platform that integrates with your business tools (HRIS, ERP, CRM, etc.), providing contextual, personalised training for users based on their profile, language, and the screen they’re working on.

Step-by-step guides walk each user through a clear, structured input sequence. They follow the steps confidently, reducing omissions, skipped fields or inconsistencies. Additional contextual help clarifies how to correctly input data at source.

Contact us to find out more.