Not every campaign has the ability to hire data staff. Many campaigns will rely on consultants and outside groups to bring data expertise to their campaigns. 

For up-and-coming campaign managers or organizing directors, there can be a learning curve around how to work with data staff when in the past, you’ve done the data work yourself. No matter how your campaign interacts with data staff in and outside of the campaign, there is so much potential for how to harness this expertise.  

This guide uncovers some of the different types of roles data staff can fill on campaigns and the associated skills. Surprise, not every data staffer is an expert in all types of data or coding. This guide will also help you discover ways to integrate with data staff and the bumps in the road to look out for when collaborating.