Work flow

Tasks you will encounter

• Gather information about the data
• Create a metadata record
• Check format and structure
• Review the contents
• Make record available
• Manage a collection of metadata records
• Technical support to users
• Revise metadata and data
• Coordinate

People you might have available

• Scientific authors
• Technical assistants
• Data manager
• Programmer
• System administrator
• Librarians
• Web and publication staff
• Tech support staff
• Management

Try to avoid "standard answer number one", the frequently heard "we don't have the time or people to do this job right". In my own experience I have found that data-producing organizations often have a wide range of expertise among the many people who are involved in research and operations. By focusing on real goals (for example, "data that are worth peoples' time to find, get and use"), a group in collaboration can often accomplish what skilled but isolated individuals cannot.