The management of data involves organizing research materials and files in a format that allows them to be accessed and understood. This includes labeling and arranging the files in a way that makes them easy to locate, ensuring that files and materials that are related are connected in a meaningful manner and ensuring that metadata and descriptions are clearly connected to and correlated with files.
Whether the files are being stored in a hierarchy of folders or as individual files, it is important to think through the way they will be organized and labeled. It is crucial to choose an appropriate naming system for your files. This will allow you to identify the entirety of your data and other materials at a later point. A short text or README file can be added to the folder.
It is important to plan out the folder hierarchy and the naming conventions prior starting any project. These practices should be documented and shared with colleagues and may be included as part of the documentation needed for on-boarding new members of the research team.
A well-functioning data governance program will save a company money by enhancing transparency and reducing waste. Data errors can cost organizations substantial sums, and it is estimated that erroneous or incomplete data costs US companies between 15% and 25 percent of their revenue every year. Adopting dependable software that aids in the creation, cataloging and governance of data can help reduce the risk of these issues.