---
title: "All Steps at a Glance"
description: "In this chapter, you will find the individual steps required to set up and run a data collection process. The configuration steps should be carried out in the order provided to ensure all dependencies are met before starting data collection."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/process-description-data-collection
language: en
last_updated: 2026-05-28
---
# All Steps at a Glance - Data Collection

## Overview

On this page, you will find the **individual steps** required to set up and run a data collection process. The configuration steps should be carried out **in the order provided** to ensure all dependencies are met before starting data collection.

The step descriptions also contain links to more detailed documentation.

{% process-steps %}
{% process-step title="Creating Form Templates" %}
In the [Form templates](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/basic-configuration-dc/creating-and-configuring-form-templates.md) workspace, create the templates that define which data you want to collect from your reporting entities. In these form templates, you can add elements that are:

- **Based on Consolidation & Financial Planning (CFP) structures** – Import existing workspace structures, ledgers, or schedules from CFP
- **Configured from scratch** – Define custom rows and columns with various data types

Configure **sections**, **elements**, **columns**, and **rows** to build the structure of your data collection forms. Optionally, set up **drill down** **configurations** for detailed data collection.
{% /process-step %}
{% process-step title="Creating Validation Rules" %}
In the [Validation rules](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/basic-configuration-dc/create-configure-validation-rules.md) workspace, define the rules that ensure data quality during collection. Two rule scopes are available:

- **Regular**: Validate data within or across form templates (e.g., Assets = Liabilities + Equity). Configure each rule as **Blocking** (prevents submission) or **Warning** (alerts but allows submission).
- **Intercompany**: Automatically compare and validate values between related reporting entities using group or transaction currency.
{% /process-step %}
{% process-step title="Importing Reporting Entities" %}
In the [Reporting entities](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/basic-configuration-dc/import-reporting-entities.md) workspace, import your reporting entities from CFP. After importing, assign users to each reporting entity:

- **Assignment as Collectors** – Users responsible for collecting and submitting data
- **Assignment as Approvers** – Users responsible for reviewing and approving submitted data

Each reporting entity must have at least one Collector and one Approver assigned before the reporting entity can participate in a data collection process.
{% /process-step %}
{% process-step title="Creating Reporting Packages" %}
In the [Reporting packages](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/basic-configuration-dc/create-configure-reporting-packages.md) workspace, bundle together all the elements needed for a data collection process:

- **Form templates** – Select which forms reporting entities will complete
- **Reporting entities** – Choose which reporting entities participate in the data collection
- **Validation rules** – The system automatically determines which validation rules to execute, based on the form templates in the reporting package.
{% /process-step %}
{% process-step title="Starting Data Collection Processes" %}
In the [Data collection](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/collecting-data-dc/collecting-data.md) workspace, start a new data collection process by:

- Selecting a **reporting package**
- Specifying **the reporting period.** The available periods depend on the collection frequency configured in the reporting package.
- Configuring **deadlines**
- Optionally, adding **instructions** addressed to reporting entities

When the process starts, individual forms are created for each reporting entity and form template combination, and e-mail notifications containing direct links to those forms are sent to assigned users.
{% /process-step %}
{% process-step title="Collecting Data" %}
**Collectors** access their assigned forms and [enter or import data](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/collecting-data-dc/entering-validating-approving-data.md) through:

- **Imports from sources**: [Import data](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/collecting-data-dc/importing-data.md) from CFP, Lucanet.Financial Warehouse, or Excel files
- **Manual entry**: Enter or adjust values directly in the form fields

Change the form status from **New** to **In Progress** when you start editing a form.
{% /process-step %}
{% process-step title="Validating Data" %}
Before submitting data, [execute validation checks](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/collecting-data-dc/entering-validating-approving-data.md) to ensure data quality:

- **Regular validation**: Execute configured validation rules to check intra-form and inter-form consistency
- **Intercompany validation**: Run intercompany validation rules to match transactions between related entities

Review validation results and correct any **blocking errors** before submission. **Warning messages** allow submission but should be reviewed.
{% /process-step %}
{% process-step title="Approving Data" %}
**Approvers** [review submitted forms](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/data-collection/collecting-data-dc/entering-validating-approving-data.md), i.e.:

- **Review data**: Check the values entered by Collectors
- **Check validation results**: Review any warnings or passed validations
- **Approve or send back**: Either approve the form or return it for corrections

When all forms in a data collection process are approved, the process status changes to **Finalized**.
{% /process-step %}
{% /process-steps %}