Data-collection plans and check sheets

Learning objectives

• Build a data-collection plan linking each question to a variable and source.
• Design check sheets operators can complete without error.
• Prevent missing, duplicated or contaminated data.

What a plan answers

• Why the data are collected and what decision they support.
• What variable, unit, coding and traceability apply.
• How, who, where and when the observation is made.
• How the record is validated and stored.

Garment-factory example

A seam-defect check sheet uses drop-down codes for defect type, operation, machine, needle age band, thread lot, fabric lot, operator ID and hour, with the paper form replaced by a controlled tablet template.

Method

1. Pilot the form with real operators.
2. Time the collection burden and simplify.
3. Freeze codes; audit the first day of records.
4. Escalate any missing field within one shift.

Common mistakes

• Free-text fields where controlled codes are needed.
• Collecting every available field ‘just in case’.