The process of organizing data management involves organizing research materials and files in a way that makes it simple for them to be located and understood. This includes labeling and arranging files to make it easier to find them, linking materials and files in a meaningful way, and making sure that metadata and descriptions are clearly linked and connected to the files.
No matter if the files are stored in a folder hierarchy or as individual files, it is crucial to consider the way they will be organized and labeled. A consistent file naming system can ensure that all documents and data can be easily identified at a later date, and it is important to remember that different disciplines have their own suggestions for this. A brief text or README file added to the folder might be useful.
It is essential to figure out the folder hierarchy as well as the naming conventions prior beginning any project. These practices should be documented and shared with colleagues, and should be included as part of the on-boarding documentation for new members of research teams.
A well-functioning data governance program can help a business save money by enhancing transparency and reducing wastage. Data mistakes can be costly for organizations. It is estimated that inaccurate or incomplete data costs US companies between 15 and 25 percent of their annual revenues. The adoption of reliable software that assists in the creation of catalogs, archiving, and the management of data can help alleviate these issues.