Training Course on Mobile Data Collection and Data Management Using CommCare

Program Brief

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, efficient and accurate data collection is critical for organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, humanitarian aid, and development projects. CommCare, an open-source mobile platform, has become a popular tool for conducting mobile data collection and managing field operations in real-time. This course on Mobile Data Collection and Data Management Using CommCare is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to design, implement, and manage mobile data collection projects using CommCare, ensuring seamless data management and analysis.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basics of mobile data collection and its benefits.
• Use CommCare to design and deploy mobile data collection applications.
• Collect, manage, and analyze data from field operations using mobile devices.
• Ensure data quality and integrity in the data collection process.
• Configure CommCare for different project needs, including data workflows and user management.
• Export, visualize, and interpret collected data for reporting and decision-making.
• Troubleshoot common issues in mobile data collection and ensure smooth operations.
• Understand security measures for safeguarding collected data.

Recommended For;

This course is ideal for:

• Field and Project Managers in development, health, agriculture, or humanitarian projects
• Data Analysts and Researchers
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers
• Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) staff involved in data collection
• Health professionals conducting surveys and collecting field data
• IT professionals supporting data collection systems
• Academics and researchers working on data-driven projects

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Introduction to Mobile Data Collection

• Importance and benefits of mobile data collection
• Overview of available mobile data collection platforms
• Introduction to CommCare and its features

Setting Up CommCare for Mobile Data Collection

• Overview of CommCare platform: cloud and mobile components
• Creating a CommCare account and navigating the dashboard
• Understanding CommCare’s form builder and its user interface
• Designing a simple mobile data collection application

Form Design and Development in CommCare

• Basics of form design: question types, skip logic, and validation rules
• Creating forms for surveys, assessments, and other data collection purposes
• Using multimedia in forms (images, audio, and video)
• Deploying forms to mobile devices for data collection
• Version control and updating forms in the field

Data Collection Workflow and User Management

• Setting up user roles and permissions in CommCare
• Assigning tasks and monitoring user performance in the field
• Managing mobile data collection workflows in real-time
• Configuring case management for tracking and follow-ups
• Integrating multiple users and teams for large-scale data collection projects

Data Management and Integration with CommCare

• Synchronizing data between mobile devices and the CommCare server
• Exporting collected data to Excel, CSV, and other formats for analysis
• Integrating CommCare with external systems (e.g., Power BI, Google Sheets)
• Visualizing data using CommCare’s reporting tools
• Ensuring data quality and resolving discrepancies in collected data

Offline Data Collection and Field Operations

• Configuring CommCare for offline data collection
• Synchronizing data when back online
• Managing mobile device settings for optimal data collection
• Practical considerations for field operations (battery management, troubleshooting devices)

Data Security and Privacy in Mobile Data Collection

• Implementing data security measures in CommCare applications
• Understanding data privacy regulations relevant to mobile data collection
• Securing collected data on mobile devices and the cloud
• Role-based access control and user authentication

Monitoring and Evaluation Using CommCare

• Setting up monitoring dashboards for real-time data tracking
• Conducting data audits to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Using CommCare for M&E in health, agriculture, or humanitarian sectors
• Case studies: Successful implementation of mobile data collection projects using CommCare

Troubleshooting and Support

• Common issues in mobile data collection and how to resolve them
• Troubleshooting form design, data synchronization, and user access
• Accessing CommCare support and community resources
• Best practices for ensuring successful data collection operations

Practical Exercises and Case Studies

• Hands-on practice designing and deploying mobile forms using CommCare
• Conducting a sample mobile data collection exercise in the field
• Analyzing collected data and generating reports
• Real-world case studies of successful CommCare implementation across sectors

General remarks

• Customizable courses are available to address the specific needs of your organization.
• The participant must be conversant in English
• Participants who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate of completion from Lenol Development Center.
• The course fee for onsite training includes facilitation training materials, tea break and lunch.
• Accommodation and airport pick up are made upon request
• For any inquiries reach us through info@lenoldevelopmentcenter.com or +254 710 314 746
• Payment should be made to our bank account before the start of training