the data science process data science process define research goal setting the research goal retrieving data create project charter data preparation data exploration data modeling presentation and automation figure step setting the research goal questions (whatwhyhowis the goal of the first phaseso that everybody knows what to do and can agree on the best course of action the outcome should be clear research goala good understanding of the contextwell-defined deliverablesand plan of action with timetable this information is then best placed in project charter the length and formality canof coursediffer between projects and companies in this early phase of the projectpeople skills and business acumen are more important than great technical prowesswhich is why this part will often be guided by more senior personnel spend time understanding the goals and context of your research an essential outcome is the research goal that states the purpose of your assignment in clear and focused manner understanding the business goals and context is critical for project success continue asking questions and devising examples until you grasp the exact business expectationsidentify how your project fits in the bigger pictureappreciate how your research is going to change the businessand understand how they'll use your results nothing is more frustrating than spending months researching something until you have that one moment of brilliance and solve the problembut when you report your findings back to the organizationeveryone immediately realizes that you misunderstood their question don' skim over this phase lightly many data scientists fail heredespite their mathematical wit and scientific brilliancethey never seem to grasp the business goals and context create project charter clients like to know upfront what they're paying forso after you have good understanding of the business problemtry to get formal agreement on the deliverables all this information is best collected in project charter for any significant project this would be mandatory