Data collection plan (day 12-14)

After the key measures have been identified, the next step is to prepare a good data collection plan. The data collection plan is a three-step process:

• Clarify the objectives of data collection

• Develop operational definitions and procedures

• Collect data

Let's look at these steps in detail.

Clarification of objectives

Before you start collecting data, it is important to clarify the objectives behind the data collection. Without this, you may not be able to collect the right data relevant to the project. This involves asking questions such as:

• Why are we collecting data?

• What data needs to be collected?

• How will this data help?

• What should we do with the data once it has been collected?

Without this clarity, at best data will be meaningless; at worst it could even be misleading.

Developing operational definitions and procedures

This involves defining what is going to be evaluated, how a value will be assigned to what is going to be measured, and how the data will be collected...