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.
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.