One of the most common services I provide my clients is system selection and implementation. Simply put, I help my clients select software and then help them get that software up and running.
With projects like these, there is a clearly defined end-goal: choosing software and then putting it into use. It’s easy to say “we’re done” when we reach our goal.
But data management is different. Data management does not have an end date. It is never “done.” Data management is an ongoing cycle of collection, management, use, and collection again.
So when it comes to staffing, budgeting, and program planning, keep in mind that data management is never done. And plan accordingly.