Book I: What Is an LDS?

• Understanding what an LDS is (and is not)
• Appreciating the organizational steps needed to institute and effectively use an LDS
• Identifying the technical features and capabilities of an effective LDS and the additional features that can enhance the system’s utility
• Recognizing the benefits of an LDS

Book II: Planning and Developing an LDS

• Engaging stakeholders
• Describing the current system
• Envisioning the desired system
• Defining needs, including data and functionality
• Gaining buy-in and funding
• Building relationships
• Writing an RFP
• Building or buying a system or components
• Transferring knowledge (e.g., from developers to staff)
• Defining and measuring success
• Refining the system

Book III: Effectively Managing LDS Data

• Defining governance structure
• Defining roles and responsibilities
• Collaborating to improve data quality and streamline operations
• Managing changes to the system
• Training staff to ensure data quality
• Auditing/validating data at all levels
• Establishing/following data standards
• Securing data to protect privacy
• Providing users access to key data

Book IV: Advanced LDS Usage

• Collecting, storing, and delivering key data
• Developing useful reports to fulfill common
  data requests and needs
• Developing user-friendly data tools to facilitate
  access and analysis
• Training users to utilize the technology
• Building awareness, understanding, and analytical capacity