diff --git a/data_preparation/config.py b/data_preparation/config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0a42729
--- /dev/null
+++ b/data_preparation/config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+"""Global configuration for data preprocessing."""
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+BASE_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
+DATA_DIR = BASE_DIR / "data"
+APP_DIR = BASE_DIR / "app"
diff --git a/data_preparation/data_utils.py b/data_preparation/data_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..39477e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/data_preparation/data_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import json
+from datetime import datetime
+from typing import Any
+
+
+class DateTimeEncoder(json.JSONEncoder):
+    """A custom JSON encoder that handles datetime objects.
+
+    This encoder extends the json.JSONEncoder class to provide serialization
+    support for datetime objects, converting them to ISO format strings.
+
+    Methods
+    -------
+    default(obj: Any) -> str
+        Encode datetime objects as ISO format strings.
+    """
+
+    def default(self, obj: Any) -> str:
+        """Encode the given object as a JSON-serializable type.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        obj : Any
+            The object to encode.
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        str
+            The ISO format string if the object is a datetime, otherwise
+            delegates to the superclass encoder.
+        """
+        if isinstance(obj, datetime):
+            return obj.isoformat()
+        return super().default(obj)