Modern Data Project Checklist

The Modern Data Project
Checklist
Data projects can
get messy fast.
That’s why we created this checklist to break Use the checklist as an editable pdf, typing in text fields
them down into a clear, repeatable process. and checking boxes as you go. You also have plenty of
Try it on your next project. See how it clarifies writing room if you prefer to work with pen and paper.
questions, gets everyone on the same page, Either way, this checklist is ready for your team to
helps them find and use more valuable knowledge, immediately put to use.
and delivers a better analysis.
Hint: copy this checklist into your

This sequence is modeled on the practices of the favorite task management tool to
world’s most accomplished data teams. But every manage the workflow.
company is different, and no two data projects are
exactly alike. As you work through the checklist,
adapt it to your needs.
If you’d like extra detail on any step or suggestion,

we’re happy to help. We’d also love your feedback!
Did this help you as much as it has helped so many
other businesses on data.world? How did you tweak
it to match your unique team? Let us know:
research@data.world
Step 1: PLAN
WRITE DOWN THE QUESTION OR HYPOTHESIS:
REVIEW THE CONTEXT: CLARIFY THE QUESTION:
I know HOW this relates back to Shared definitions and clear questions
a business goal. reduce friction and back-and-forth between
stakeholders, increase the number of people
I know WHY the question who can benefit and contribute to the analysis,
was asked. and align results to expectations.
I know WHO will use the analysis.

It is only ONE question
(if not, separate them).
I know WHAT they will do with
the analysis.
There is little chance that
another stakeholder will
I know WHEN they need
misinterpret the question.
the analysis.
All ambiguous terms are defined.
There are no acronyms.
It is concise.
It can be answered with data

you have or data you can get.
PLAN
IDENTIFY THE STAKEHOLDERS:
ROLE CONTRIBUTION NAME(S)
Requester(s) Asks the question
Subject Matter Expert(s) Understands the market,

product, or topic involved;
not necessarily technical
Data consumer(s) Makes decisions from the analysis

produced; often the same as the
requester
Data steward(s) Manages the data needed, or

knows where to find it
Data practitioner(s) Answers the question using data

and related context
Step 2: PREP DATA
BUILD YOUR BANK OF RESOURCES: MAKE YOUR DATA EASY

TO UNDERSTAND:
Determine what data you need, who owns it
(data stewards), and where it currently lives. Briefly describe each file to help others
understand the inputs.
Organize your data by grouping related
files into datasets. Create a data dictionary that defines
columns in your datasets.
Place datasets into a shared environment
for access, analysis, and discussion. Write a project summary. Use the chart on
the following page to outline initial ideas.
Schedule data updates if it will require
refreshing over course of project.
Review usage, security,

and licensing restrictions.
Clean and normalize the data. Use internal

fact tables, ontologies, or directories to
streamline this work where you can.
PREP DATA
PROJECT SUMMARY THOUGHT STARTERS:
What question are you trying to answer?
Who are the stakeholders? (Refer to the project stakeholders table from earlier in Step 1)
Requester(s):
Subject Matter Expert(s):
Data Consumer(s):
Data Steward(s):
Data Practitioner(s):
When will the project be completed?
How can people use the analysis?
What restrictions apply to this analysis and/or data?
What related materials or projects should people reference to understand this project?
Will this project and/or analysis be updated, and on what schedule?
Whom should they contact if they’d like to contribute?

Step 3: ANALYZE
DIG IN:
Empower your team to work with the data and share what they learn as they go.
Connect the right tools to your common data workspace. (Use the Data Tech Stack Audit template if
you’re not sure what tools your team needs to integrate. Get your free copy at data.world/audit)
Create, save, and share queries so people can build on the work of their peers.
Share scripts created through R, Python, Jupyter, or similar tools to document your work
and ensure reproducibility.
Encourage people to share insights and visualizations, ask questions, and post ideas throughout the life of
the project. (Showing your work increases trust in your analysis. It also lets others learn from your process,
springboarding future projects.)
CHECK IN:
Build in time to gut-check your project with your original requester and Subject Matter Experts.
They can ensure your work is still aligned with their initial objective, resolve any confusion, and spot early
insights your practitioners may be unaware of. Try these 10 prompts to guide your check-in session:
1. Here’s what we’ve learned so far, 6. How would you summarize what
and why we think it’s relevant.* we’ve learned to your team (or manager)?
2. Does this help answer your question? 7. Do you agree or disagree with this
interpretation of the data? Why?
3. What’s surprising (or not) about this
project so far? 8. Who else could use what we’ve
shown you today?
4. Are any of these insights useful to you today?
If so, how? 9. What would they need to easily
understand and act on the information?
5. What would make these insights easier
for you to act on? 10. What other questions do you have now
that you’ve seen our progress?
*Useful if you’ve been saving insights as you go!
Hint: If you’re on track, keep moving through the process. If your check-in uncovers gaps
or opportunities, go through the “Prep Data” and “Analyze” exercises again so fresh resources
meet the same standards for clean, contextualized data.
Step 4: DEPLOY
PACKAGE AND SHIP:

Once analysis is complete, make sure the right people know about it. Keep in mind that different audiences
will benefit from the data project’s results being packaged in different ways. Try prepping your final results
for these three data consumer types.
AUDIENCE:
TYPE NEEDS EMPHASIS
High-level consumer Values anything that • Specific, concise conclusions and

helps them keep a pulse recommendations
on the business; values • Visualizations and text explanations
transparency and content • Supporting third-party research
that can quickly improve • How-to guidance on using the analysis
business decisions • Link to the data project
Data interpreter Helps discover and • Project summary and process updates
and/or strategist translate the story in the • Activity records
data; needs detail and • Access to, and understanding of, data used
summary information • Visualization-ready data
to translate and convey • Saved queries to quickly explore raw data
to other stakeholders, • Ability to securely share project, insights,
especially clients and and data with teams or individuals
executives • Open channel to ask questions about
the project
• Ability to subscribe to project activity alerts
Data analyst Checks conclusions; • Access to detailed context, data,

reuses and adapts and source information
relevant parts of the • Option to view, clone, or create new
project for other projects queries to add new insights to the project
• Open channel to make suggestions on
additional data, hypotheses, or other
improvements
Ready for more
Collective Data
Empowerment?
This tool is most effective when used in conjunction with
other tools, practices, and strategies to make everyone
you work with more productive with data. Visit Distinct
Values to to get more tools and a comprehensive field
guide to Collective Data Empowerment.
About us
data.world is the modern catalog for data and analysis. It wakes up the hidden data workforce
by replacing outdated barriers and disparate silos with deep connections between data, people,
and analysis. When every employee can find, understand, and use data, your advanced practitioners
can focus on high-impact work, and you can build a data-driven culture, faster. data.world is a
Public Benefit Corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas. Visit data.world for more information
and expert guidance.
© 2019 data.world, inc.

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The Modern Data Project

Hint: copy this checklist into your

If you’d like extra detail on any step or suggestion,

WRITE DOWN THE QUESTION OR HYPOTHESIS:

REVIEW THE CONTEXT: CLARIFY THE QUESTION:

I know WHO will use the analysis.

There are no acronyms.

It can be answered with data

ROLE CONTRIBUTION NAME(S)

Requester(s) Asks the question

Subject Matter Expert(s) Understands the market,

Data consumer(s) Makes decisions from the analysis

Data steward(s) Manages the data needed, or

Data practitioner(s) Answers the question using data

BUILD YOUR BANK OF RESOURCES: MAKE YOUR DATA EASY

Review usage, security,

Clean and normalize the data. Use internal

What question are you trying to answer?

Subject Matter Expert(s):

When will the project be completed?

How can people use the analysis?

What restrictions apply to this analysis and/or data?

Will this project and/or analysis be updated, and on what schedule?

Whom should they contact if they’d like to contribute?

PACKAGE AND SHIP:

TYPE NEEDS EMPHASIS

High-level consumer Values anything that • Specific, concise conclusions and

Data analyst Checks conclusions; • Access to detailed context, data,

© 2019 data.world, inc.

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