The graduate student employs multiple types of data to develop and validate a new application of an existing model, SWAT, traditionally used in assessing environmental impacts. Many of these data types are generated by other students and, as no standardized policies or procedures for documenting, describing or organizing the data are in place, it is sometimes difficult for her to understand and make use of the data. The graduate student is aware of the need for her to consider additional uses of her data by others once she graduates but is not sure how to address this need in developing her own data. As a graduate student, she feels that she lacks the knowledge, experience and position to address the need for common approaches and practices to handling data. Talks on these subjects have begun amongst the graduate students in her lab and things are beginning to improve.