Data Storage and Management

Data storage guidelines address how spatial data should be organized, stored, and maintained in database systems or files. Consistent storage standards ensure data integrity, accessibility, and ease of retrieval for users and applications. Key guidelines for data storage and management are listed below:

• Use a geospatial database management system (DBMS) like PostgreSQL with the PostGIS extension, which offers spatial data support and advanced geospatial functions
  
• Organize spatial data in a structured manner, such as by geographic regions and data types
  
• Implement a version control system (such as Git) to track changes made to spatial data and associated metadata. Encourage collaboration among team members when making changes to the data and establish a review process before finalizing new versions
  
• Establish clear data retention policies based on legal requirements, organizational needs and data significance. Determine the specific retention periods for different types of spatial data based on their importance and relevance
  
• Develop clear data governance policies that define data ownership, access controls, update procedures, and data lifecycle management
  
• Establish a backup system to safeguard against accidental data loss or corruption