Why is the data collection process is so important?

According to Hullett & Preston (2000), Data collection is very important in any project implementation process. Data collection provides information for project managers or leaders of any business or project to make decisions based on statistical facts. We live in an era of data and statistics. Therefore, it is paramount that before engaging in any project, data should be collected to define possible risks, growth opportunities and also to forecast the successful implementation of the project. In addition, data collection helps to identify risks and mitigate against risks.

What can project managers do to protect the quality and integrity of the data collection process?

Project managers can protect the integrity and quality of the data collection process by selecting the right people to collect data. First, the integrity of people collecting data in the field also adds to the integrity of the data (Project Management Institute 2017). Secondly, it is paramount to brief the people who are supposed to collect data on what they are expected to look for and what should be asked or interviewed so that the data collected can have integrity and quality. Furthermore, the quality and integrity of the data collection process can be assured by the sources of the dubious data characters cannot give true information. Therefore, data should only be collected from authentic sources.

Who do you think should be involved in data collection for project risk management? Why?

All stakeholders should be involved in the data collection process. To have wider data that increases the validity and minimizes error margins, all project team members must collect data so that all risks can be exhausted. Leaving out some people in the data collection process will undermine the integrity of the data collection process. Therefore, all key stakeholders should be part and parcel of the data collection process.

What insights can be used in the development of your Risk Management Plan and Risk Register?

The insights that can be used to develop a risk management plan and risk register should include objective data and subjective data. The goal of collecting data in risk assessment is to minimize risk, avoid risk or solve the risk. Therefore, the source of risk, the person responsible for the risk, and the resources needed to solve the risk play an important insight.

References

Hullett, T. & Preston, Y. (2000) Garbage In, Garbage Out? Collect Better Data for Your Risk Assessment. Proceedings of the Project Management Institute Annual Seminars & Symposium.

Project Management Institute (2017). A Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK@Guide). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Response to Pic 1

Your responses to the questions were clear and straight to the point. The analysis to address why data collection has importantly captured the reasons for data collection in terms of assessing risks, better planning, increasing the project’s success, and developing a better team to control risks. The second question on the quality and integrity of data collection was clearly stated in terms of why data is quality and integrity is important in terms of who should be involved, training of data collection agents, and the importance of the sources of the data collection process. While examining the people who should be involved in data collection, the identification of the project manager to invite all participants to take part in the process is plausible since it is the way to go to have inclusive data. Identification of bias and need to have objective and subjective data to form the insights for risk register and risk management plan.

Response to Pic 2

Your analysis for the question concerning the importance of data collection is candid and well elaborated. You stated the reasons for data collection regarding assessing risks, pointing out how data can help establish a successful business, take reserve process, and develop critical problem-solving steps. On the other hand, while addressing the quality and integrity of data collection, your position that utilizing different data collection tools and choosing the right people via interviews is unique and outstanding because different data collection tools can increase data integrity and quality of data collection data. Furthermore, while analyzing people involved in the data collection process, pointing out to stakeholders, experts, and opinion holders makes much sense since the larger and diverse the team, the better the data collection process. Finally, identifying the insights on what forms part of the risk register or risk management plan both subjective and objective data should be involved is sufficient to develop a sound plan.