Checklist for Data Entry with Google Sheets

So you have decided to create a format in a Google Sheets file and have people fill data by collaborating in the same file. Follow this checklist to make sure you have covered all bases!

• Have you made sure that Google Sheets is the most suitable tool for the job? Are you sure that this data cannot be entered using a Google Form?
• Have you ensured that the format you have created is suitable for the data that you want to collect? Are you sure that you are collecting a reasonable amount of data?
  • Have you asked someone who is not associated with this project to take a look at the data entry format? Did they understand how to enter the data on their own without your help?
  • Are you 110% sure that your format is easy to understand?
• Have you checked that the necessary data validation rules are in place? Are you sure that only the expected data will be input by the respondents?
• Do you have a list of all the people with whom you will share this Google Sheets file? Are you sure that they will know how to fill the format?
  • Have you added protection to sheets/ranges to prevent unwanted edits?
  • Have you set a deadline for the data entry process? Has this date been communicated with the respondents?
• Have you decided if you are going to conduct a pilot test of the questionnaire? Is there a good reason for that decision?
• Is there a plan in place for how the collected data will be analysed and reported?