{"id":4687,"date":"2026-03-13T12:55:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T16:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/?page_id=4687"},"modified":"2026-05-22T10:58:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T14:58:15","slug":"project-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/guides-how-tos\/project-development\/","title":{"rendered":"REDCap Project Development"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: right;margin-top: 14px\"><a href=\"\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;color: #1f2937;padding: 6px 12px;text-decoration: none;border-radius: 20px;font-size: 0.95em\">Back to REDCap Homepage<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right;margin-top: 14px\"><a href=\"\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/guides-how-tos\/\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;color: #1f2937;padding: 6px 12px;text-decoration: none;border-radius: 20px;font-size: 0.95em\">Back to Guides<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"top\" class=\"project-development\" style=\"max-width: 1100px;margin: 0 auto;line-height: 1.7;color: #1f2937\">\n<div style=\"background: #64C7C9;border: 1px solid #bae6fd;padding: 18px 20px;margin: 24px 0;border-radius: 6px\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>REDCap Project Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.08em;margin-top: 0\">Thoughtful project development is essential to building a REDCap project that is usable, secure, and ready for accurate data collection.<\/p>\n<p>Before collecting real study data, project teams should use the <strong>Development environment<\/strong> to plan the project structure, configure settings, build instruments, test workflows, and review exports.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #fef2f2;border-left: 6px solid #dc2626;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 22px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> The Development environment is for building and testing only. Real data, PII, PHI, and other sensitive data should <strong>not<\/strong> be collected in Development.<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 22px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Core Workflow:<\/strong> Create \u2192 Configure \u2192 Build \u2192 Test \u2192 Review \u2192 Move to Production<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #f0f9ff;border: 1px solid #bae6fd;padding: 16px 18px;margin: 24px 0;border-radius: 6px\">\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 0;font-size: 1.2em\">On this page<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0;padding-left: 20px\">\n<li><a href=\"#create-project\">Create a New Project<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#core-settings\">Choose Core Project Settings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#build-instruments\">Build Data Collection Instruments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#record-id\">Set Up the Record ID<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#field-types\">Select Appropriate Field Types<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#logic-piping\">Branching Logic &amp; Piping<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#surveys-modules\">Surveys &amp; Modules<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#user-rights\">User Rights<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#testing\">Testing in Development<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#production\">Move to Production<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#best-practices\">Development Best Practices<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#resources\">Additional Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"create-project\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Create a New Project<\/h2>\n<p>When creating a new REDCap project, enter the project title, select the project purpose (typically research), and provide required details such as PI and IRB number.<\/p>\n<p>Choose a project creation method:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Empty project (recommended for most users)<\/li>\n<li>Upload REDCap XML (CDISC ODM)<\/li>\n<li>Use a template<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Start simple. Build the minimum structure needed and expand only as your workflow requires.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"core-settings\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Choose Core Project Settings<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Will the project use surveys?<\/li>\n<li>Will it be longitudinal or single-timepoint?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Enable longitudinal design if data will be collected across multiple visits or time points. Enable surveys if participants will complete instruments directly.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Decide early on project type (classic, longitudinal, survey-based, or hybrid). This impacts structure, workflow, and reporting.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"build-instruments\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Build Data Collection Instruments<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Online Designer<\/strong> (recommended)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Data Dictionary<\/strong> (for advanced builds)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Start with the default instrument and add additional instruments based on workflow.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Design instruments around real workflows (visit, role, or task), not as one long form.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"record-id\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Set Up the Record ID<\/h2>\n<p>The first field must be a unique record identifier. It cannot be deleted but can be renamed.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #fef2f2;border-left: 6px solid #dc2626;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Do not use PHI (e.g., MRN, DOB, initials) as the record ID.<\/div>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Use a neutral study ID that does not contain identifying information.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\" style=\"background: #eef6f8;padding: 6px 12px;border-radius: 20px;text-decoration: none\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"field-types\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Select Appropriate Field Types<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Validated text (dates, email, numeric)<\/li>\n<li>Dropdowns, radio buttons, checkboxes<\/li>\n<li>Calculated fields (use sparingly)<\/li>\n<li>File uploads, signatures, sliders<\/li>\n<li>Descriptive text and section headers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Use structured and validated fields whenever possible to improve data quality.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"logic-piping\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Branching Logic &amp; Piping<\/h2>\n<p>Branching logic controls when fields are displayed. Piping allows previously entered values to be reused in later fields or survey text.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Keep logic clear and test every pathway. Confirm piped values display correctly in all scenarios.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"surveys-modules\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Surveys &amp; Optional Modules<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Auto-numbering<\/li>\n<li>Repeating instruments\/events<\/li>\n<li>Scheduling<\/li>\n<li>Randomization<\/li>\n<li>Data resolution workflow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Enable only what your study requires to avoid unnecessary complexity.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"user-rights\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">User Rights<\/h2>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px;background: #f3f4f6\">Role<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px;background: #f3f4f6\">Typical Access<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Study Coordinator<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Data entry, limited reports<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Data Manager<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Reports, exports, data quality<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Principal Investigator<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #d1d5db;padding: 10px\">Oversight, read-only or reporting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"background: #fef2f2;border-left: 6px solid #dc2626;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Apply the principle of least privilege. Review permissions before go-live.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"testing\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Testing in Development<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Enter test records<\/li>\n<li>Test logic and calculations<\/li>\n<li>Complete surveys<\/li>\n<li>Review dashboards and reports<\/li>\n<li>Export and validate data<\/li>\n<li>Have others test workflows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background: #eff6ff;border-left: 6px solid #2563eb;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Test full workflows, not just individual fields.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"production\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Move to Production<\/h2>\n<p>Projects should only move to Production once fully tested and validated. IRB approval must also be obtained. To initiate this process, just click the &#8220;Move-to-Production&#8221; button on the bottom of the Project Setup page. Complete the survey that automatically pops-up. Ensure to fill it out to completely.<\/p>\n<p>Additional Information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-usage\/\">REDCap Usage<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-fees\/\">REDCap Fees<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>After moving to Production, changes must be made in Draft Mode and reviewed before approval.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background: #fff7ed;border-left: 6px solid #ea580c;padding: 14px 16px;margin: 20px 0;border-radius: 4px\"><strong>Best practice:<\/strong> Limit changes after Production and ensure all updates are reviewed carefully.<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin: 30px 0\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"resources\" style=\"background: #329EB8;color: white;padding: 12px 16px;border-radius: 6px\">Additional Resources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2024\/03\/Project-Creation-Guide.pdf\">Project Creation Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-training\/\">REDCap Training Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/redcap-best-practices\/\">REDCap Best Practices<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"#top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"top\" class=\"redcap-usage-guide\">\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/redcap-usage\/#top\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/services\/informatics-core\/redcap\/\">Back to REDCap Homepage<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Back to REDCap Homepage Back to Guides REDCap Project Development Thoughtful project development is essential to building a REDCap project that is usable, secure, and ready for accurate data collection. Before collecting real study data, project teams should use the Development environment to plan the project structure, configure settings, build instruments, test workflows, and review [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4679,"featured_media":0,"parent":2190,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-30 07:44:22","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4687"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4679"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4687"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4687\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4983,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4687\/revisions\/4983"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/clinical-research-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}