Lifecycle of Data

A data lifecycle is the sequence of stages that a particular unit of data goes through from its creation to its eventual disposal at the end of its useful life.

1. Acquire: Institutional data are created or collected.
2. Store: Institutional data are stored in a location that is both secure and easily accessible for further management and analysis.
3. Aggregate: Institutional data in disparate datasets are combined through Dartmouth's data warehouse or other aggregate to create a larger dataset that is greater than the sum of its parts.
4. Analyze: Institutional data are examined and transformed to extract information and discover new insights.
5. Use: Dartmouth community members apply the insights gained from data analysis toward making decisions, affecting change, or delivering a product or service.
6. Share: Data Stewards provide access to datasets or data insights to new groups of data users or consumers, respectively.
7. Dispose: Based on applicable retention schedules, institutional data are removed from Dartmouth servers, applications, databases, and other locations to prevent future release or use.

Data and records are two converging information assets that share governance goals driven by statutes, regulations, and policies.  Aptly named, Data Governance and Records Management share the joint interests of preservation, retrievability/accessibility, integrity, security, and quality of data and records respectively.

Furthermore, Data Governance and Records Management are responsible for documenting within their policy frameworks:

• Where data/records are stored
• How data/records are being accessed and by whom
• The sensitivity of  data/records
• How to manage data/records throughout their lifecycle
• How long must data/records be retained

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Data Governance and Records Management work together to protect Dartmouth's data.