Do I have to join a Service Provider Network to use Data Standards?
No. Data Standards are just as powerful for a single Apricot organization as they are for Networks. You can create and use Data Standards internally to streamline reporting across programs, grants, or funders without sharing data with other organizations.
Networks add collaboration and shared reporting, but participation is optional.
What problem do Data Standards solve?
Data Standards reduce inconsistencies in how similar information is collected and reported. Instead of reconciling slightly different fields, forms, or definitions later, Data Standards help align data at the point of collection.
This leads to:
Less duplicate data entry
More consistent reporting
Greater confidence in results shared with funders and partners
What’s the difference between Data Standards and Service Provider Networks?
Data Standards define how data is structured.
Service Provider Networks define how organizations collaborate.
You can use Data Standards on their own, or you can share them through a Network to support aligned reporting across multiple organizations.
Is data shared automatically when I create or share a Data Standard?
No. Nothing is shared automatically.
Organizations choose:
Whether to adopt or map a Data Standard
Whether to participate in a Network
Which Data Standards to implement
Data sharing is always opt-in and controlled.
What happens to my historical data?
Nothing changes. Historical data stays intact.
When you adopt or map a Data Standard:
Existing records keep their original values
Older values remain reportable
New entries follow the standardized structure
All reporting continues to work as expected.
If I map an existing dropdown to a Data Standard, what happens to my field choices?
When you map an existing dropdown to a Data Standard, the field options are replaced by the standardized set. This keeps data consistent across programs and reporting.
Your existing records are not lost. Historical values remain associated with past records, even if those values are no longer selectable going forward.
Can I change a Data Standard after it’s been published?
Yes. You can update a Data Standard by creating a new version.
Versioning allows you to:
Add or refine fields
Adjust reporting structure
Improve clarity over time
Older versions remain available, and organizations are not forced to adopt new versions automatically.
Who can create or manage Data Standards?
Only Apricot Administrators can create, publish, version, or share Data Standards.
Network-specific actions, such as sharing standards with other organizations, are handled by Network Leads.
How do Data Standards connect to reporting?
Data Standards prepare data for consistent reporting by defining structure and relationships upfront. Standardized data can then be used in reporting tools like Impact Hub to build dashboards and analyze outcomes more efficiently.