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Strategic Planning Toolkit: Step 2.2

Collect & Share Data

Initial data collection and analysis is typically accomplished by a steering committee work group or ad hoc committee. Whoever is assigned to lead this effort should have the skills needed to assess the data’s relevance for strategy development, and to analyze and interpret the data.

 The first task will be to ensure that the work group identifies what recent data has been collected and by whom, to avoid duplicating data collection efforts that have already been completed.

The work group will also need to make a plan for addressing any current or potential obstacles to system-wide use of data, such as privacy regulations at the Federal, state, and local levels.

After data is collected, the entire steering committee will need to meet to review findings and trends. Analysis and interpretation by the committee ensures a broad understanding of what the data can and cannot convey about the community.