Planning is an integral part of the data analysis process. It is helpful to identify in advance the resources you will need to implement data analysis. For example, will data from parents or others need to be translated? Will additional clerical, administrative, or technological support be needed? Will you need to plan for staff to work additional hours?

It will help enormously if some team members can devote time to data analysis as it begins to come in, rather than after all the data has been collected. When problems with data quality or gaps in data sets are identified early on, adjustments in collection can be made immediately. In addition, ongoing analysis may enable you to follow up on preliminary results by asking more in-depth questions or contacting additional people with experience or expertise in the emerging issues.