What is the first step in the model creation process?

The first step in the model creation process is data preparation. This stage is crucial because it involves gathering and organizing the data that will be used to build the predictive model. During data preparation, practitioners clean the data by addressing any inconsistencies or inaccuracies, transforming variables as necessary, and ensuring that the data is in a suitable format for analysis. This step ensures that quality data is available, which is essential for effective model training and subsequent decision-making.

Without proper data preparation, any model developed may yield unreliable or misleading results due to the presence of noise, irrelevant features, or inadequate representation of the target variable. Therefore, focusing on thorough data preparation sets a solid foundation for the later stages of model development, data analysis, and model export.