Plan & Prepare

ImportantDon’t forget to publish your data before you begin a data project!

If you are a steward of Water Boards data - and it is not yet made appropriately open and accessible (including thorough documentation and complete metadata!) - you should complete the guidance on the Getting Started page before you begin thinking about developing and exposing your data and information product(s) to the public.

Before data collection begins, it is paramount that you think through why you want to collect the data you think you need and how you intend to use it once it is collected.

This phase of the data life cycle involves conducting an equity assessment (Planning) and developing your data management plan using an equity lens (Data Preparation).