1. Start with the "source of truth" list
Every team should have a short list of dashboards that are trusted and maintained. Give new hires that list on day one and explain who owns each dashboard.
If a dashboard does not have an owner, it is not a source of truth.
2. Teach the "three checks" rule
Before trusting a metric, ask three questions:
- Is the time range complete (no partial days)?
- Does the metric match an agreed definition?
- Has it been validated in the last quarter?
If the answer is no to any, the metric is a draft, not a decision maker.
3. Explain common data delays
New hires often assume data is real time. Document typical delays: GA4 processing time, warehouse refresh cadence, and CRM sync schedules. This prevents confusion when numbers shift hours later.
4. Show how to request new tracking
Make the request process simple: a form, a Slack template, or a ticket with required fields. Include event name, purpose, owner, and expected usage. The easier it is to request tracking, the less shadow analytics appear.
5. Encourage "ask early" behavior
Normalize asking for help. Teach new hires to share a screenshot or link, describe the decision they need, and ask for validation. This builds good habits and prevents bad dashboards from spreading.
Make heuristics part of onboarding
Include these heuristics in onboarding docs and revisit them in the first 30-day check-in. Data literacy grows faster when it is reinforced early.