METHODOLOGY (© 2019 Rural Data Management Services)

Rural Data Management Services has developed a structured 6 stage process to assist you to drive value for your business from your livestock EID data.  

 What are the business drivers for investing in data collection and analysis? What are you hoping to achieve? How will you measure success?

 What data is required for each objective?  When & how does the data recorded?

What reports and analysis are required to turn the data into actionable information?

When do you need this information and in what format?

  How do you want to operate? 

1. Self Sufficient— All activities are undertaken by your own team

2. Partial Outsource—Data collection done by your team and data management outsourced

3. Full Outsource—All data collection and management is outsourced to RDMS.

Note:   The operational model may change over time as your knowledge and needs change.

 Based on the decisions in the first 3 stages :

1. Stage the purchases of your equipment to meet your objectives, budget and existing facilities

2. Select software to match your expertise and which meets all of your requirements including uploading to other databases such as Sheep Genetics etc

## Tip:   Start simply and build as your knowledge and confidence grows.

1. Train your team to ensure you get the most from your investment in data

2. Stage your implementation to build knowledge and confidence in the process and the data

3. Incorporate the data collection into your existing activities; avoid making it an additional task

4. Get your contractors (eg preg testing) onboard 

## Tip: Wherever possible ensure that data collection is part of your process, not an additional process.

Review your progress regularly:

1. After each activity—are there changes that can make the process more effective?

2. Is the data giving you the information you need—if not, make the changes required

3. Annually review the program against your objectives and make changes as necessary