In the dizzying world of data, a central figure emerges in organizations: the person in charge of Data Collection, who acts as a fundamental axis for Data Engineers, Data Scientists, and other professionals related to information management. This role performs crucial strategic work, ensuring the acquisition and provision of essential data for any analysis. Its work guarantees reliability from the beginning and establishes a preliminary structure before the information is processed by specialists.

This evolution has transformed how data collection strategies are conceived, underscoring the critical importance of coordination and planning in this essential process. It is recognized that many challenges faced by data teams are associated with obtaining information to validate hypotheses or ensure the veracity of data.

It is frequently joked in the data science community that 80% of time is spent acquiring, cleaning, and transforming data, leaving only 20% for analysis and exploration. But what if we could allow engineers and data scientists to work with cleaner data suitable for their daily tasks? Let’s imagine an environment where data teams are not only made up of mathematicians but also sociologists, anthropologists, and business experts. These teams collaborate to propose ideas for improvement, develop hypotheses about the profitability in the market with certain products, or try to understand which sectors they should focus their services on.

In these discussions, various variables or data structures arise that may not be currently available in the organization, making it difficult to obtain crucial answers for business strategies.

Therefore, the emergence of the Data Collection Specialist role has marked a milestone in the effectiveness and quality of data science projects. In the past, the focus was mostly on the analysis of the data itself. However, it is currently unanimously recognized that the data acquisition and management stage is of vital importance. The introduction of this role has substantially improved the understanding and appreciation of the strategic importance of data collection, enabling more informed and accurate decision-making in the business and scientific world, as it plays a pioneering role in data initiatives. . , addressing both the acquisition of existing data and the search and generation of data that is not available. Understand the specific needs of your strategies by first analyzing all aspects related to the data. It evaluates the existence of the data to be explored, its reliability, the possibility of being consumed according to security and privacy policies, and even its ability to validate hypotheses with an initial sample. This approach aims to ensure efficiency in the time spent collecting data and, ultimately, its success.

The Data Collection Specialist acts as a first line of defense by ensuring that the data collected, whether existing or newly created, is relevant, reliable, and suitable for subsequent analysis and decision needs. This translates into savings of time and resources, as well as greater precision in the development of data-driven strategies.

Main Activities of the Data Collection Specialist:

1. Identification of data sources:Search and determine the sources from which the data necessary for analysis can be extracted. They can be databases, surveys, records, web data, etc.

2. Development of collection strategies: Design methods and strategies to collect data, whether through surveys, website scraping, tracking tools, sensors, or other forms of information acquisition.

3. Implementation of tools and technologies: Use specialized tools and software for data collection, such as analysis software, databases, data management systems, third-party APIs, among others.

4. Maintenance of data quality: Ensures the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of the data collected, performing data cleaning, verification, and validation of the information obtained.

5. Data analysis: In some cases, these specialists can carry out a basic analysis of the collected data to obtain preliminary information and in turn verify the potential of the collected information.

6. Collaboration with other teams: Work closely with data analysis teams, data scientists, and marketing experts, among others, to provide them with accurate and relevant data for their respective areas.

7. Regulatory and ethical compliance: Ensures that data collection is carried out in compliance with data protection regulations and laws, ensuring the privacy and security of the information collected.

In a data-driven business and scientific environment, the role of the Data Collection Specialist is a fundamental part of the success of projects. From identifying and acquiring essential data to ensuring its quality and relevance, this professional not only provides reliable data but also plays a strategic role in optimizing time and resources. By addressing both the collection of existing data and the search and generation of unavailable information, the Data Collection Specialist becomes a key ally for multidisciplinary teams, allowing informed and accurate decision-making. In short, his work marks a significant milestone in the evolution of data science, strengthening the foundation on which analytics are built and developed, thereby maximizing its potential and impact on business strategies. It also sets the standard in the evolution of the world of data, quickly adapting to changes and specific needs to optimize tasks and activities. New roles have emerged, such as the Data Collection Specialist, which contributes to making the data life cycle more efficient.