I recently had to fill out paperwork in order to start a new job. This was the first time I've had to do this since the financial meltdown and the institution of many government programs to help those without jobs. The number of required forms has exploded with new government reporting requirements.
Each form requires the same basic information: first name, middle name or initial, last name, address (street address, city, state, zip), telephone number, and social security number. That's nine pieces of data.
Using an online calculator, I found out you can arrange those nine items in 24,310 ways. And I believe the forms I filled out used almost every permutation possible. First name, middle initial, last name. Last name, first name, middle name. First name and initial, last name.
And not only are there too many ways to enter data, most forms wanted the data delivered in a different way. Some forms had columns to fill in. Others used small boxes for each letter. Yet others provided dashes to put the letters on. And on and on . . .
Years of productivity could be reclaimed if all forms required the same information in the same way. I wouldn't have to spend so much time analyzing the form before I start filling it out. Paper would be saved since people aren't making as many errors with the forms.
I know I am titling at windmills if I expect that anyone will get on board to standardize forms, but maybe within a company it's possible. Just think about the person at the other end of the pen/pencil when you design your next form.
