What is the effect of poor data quality on a business?

Poor data quality can significantly hinder a business's ability to make informed and effective decisions. When data is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, it can lead to incorrect conclusions and misinterpretations of the data. This can result in misguided strategies, inefficient resource allocation, and the potential for financial losses. Decision-makers rely on high-quality data to analyze trends, forecast outcomes, and assess performance; therefore, compromised data can lead to missed opportunities or increased risks. In contrast to the other choices, which suggest improvements or benefits to the business, the impact of poor data quality is unambiguously negative, creating barriers to achieving business goals and maintaining competitive advantage.