A stimulating, adaptable training pack for humanitarian organizations on managing programme data.

Managing data properly may be the greatest challenge of the information age. We now have more ways to collect, store, share, transmit, analyse and publish data than ever before. As new legal frameworks emerge and increasing attention is paid to the ethics of data management, humanitarian organizations are adopting new policies on how to manage data responsibly. But policy alone is not enough; we need to practise responsible data management (RDM), and in many cases, change our organizational culture, individual attitudes and behaviour as to how we handle data. This training pack has been developed to help introduce the principles of RDM, the planning processes that can be used, and to examine how we might handle unexpected issues that arise in different contexts.

RDM is about treating the data that we collect with respect, and upholding the rights of respondents ' people whose data we collect. RDM focuses on treating respondents with respect and dignity, and ensuring that we always act in their best interests. Managing data responsibly need not be restrictive. Instead, it can strengthen and facilitate the contribution that data make to high-quality work.