Data

1. Accuracy: Data must be accurate and collected in a timely way.

2. Security and confidentiality: Data must be safe from harm and, when confidential, accessible only to those with a "need to know."

3. Ease of access: Data must be easy to access for all groups of authorized users regardless of their level of technical expertise.

4. Multiple uses: The Project must plan for multiple uses of data, including clinical support, research, planning, and ad hoc reporting.

5. Purposeful Collection: Data must be collected only once if possible, as close to the source where it originated, and only if there is a specific programmatic need.

6. Common base of data: A common base of data must be created to facilitate sharing and minimize redundancy.

7. Documentation: Detailed information about data must be created, maintained, and made available.

8. Ease of use: Applications must be easy to use for both novice and expert users. Interfaces should be similar enough to present a reasonably consistent "look and feel."

9. Adaptability: Applications must be easily adaptable to changing functional and technical requirements.

10. Ensuring data quality: Applications must help ensure valid, consistent, and secure data.

11. Leverage Networks: Wherever possible, existing networks should be leveraged to minimize cost and complexity.

12. Use of the Internet: Wherever possible, secure use of the Internet as a wide-area network should be supported and encouraged.

13. Standards: Standards for information technology components should be developed jointly among the participants and reviewed at least once every 12 months.

14. Cost effectiveness: Information technology must contribute to the cost effectiveness of the systems and processes it supports, and must cost effective from the point of view of the organization as a whole.

15. Data Steward: Data stewards are responsible for ensuring the proper documentation, collection, storage, and use of data within their purvue.