Effective data collection

The process of collecting data can be long and tedious. In an effort to collect all the necessary, relevant information available at one time, professionals often lose sight of the purpose of the data collection process. Questions about the quantity of data necessary to make broad decisions and the standard of quality that the information should meet are often sources of concern for both internal and external consultants. These issues should be weighed and considered well. Valuable time and resources will be conserved if the development professional gathers enough quality information at the start of a project. Some data collection methods are more appropriate for particular situations than other data collection methods may be. Even a seasoned professional may not be using the most effective, applicable means of gathering information from the client organization. The purpose of this paper is to explain the primary methods of data collection available to consultants today and to expose the advantages and disadvantages of these data collection methods.