# Data Lifecycle

To ensure quality data, you need to manage data throughout its lifecycle. In this guidebook, we reference the data lifecycle below \[1]. This guidebook supports the "Plan and Define" phase.

* **Plan and Define.** How you define the purpose, needs and requirements of the data. How you define the data model and supporting policies and processes.
* **Obtain.** How you create, collect or get the data.
* **Maintain.** How you store, change and track the data.
* **Access and Use.** How you share the data. How people use the data.
* **Dispose.** How you delete the data.

![](/files/RI6f4RqOfHmR4uakyrDc)

## Footnotes

\[1] Modified from [Executing Data Quality Projects](https://www.amazon.com/Executing-Data-Quality-Projects-Information/dp/0123743699), McGilvray.


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