Data Management Plan
A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document that you create at the beginning of a research project, describing all aspects of data management during and after the project. It includes information about:
- What data you will collect (type, size)
- Verification that you have all the necessary equipment and support
- Setting controls to ensure that the measured data is accurate, complete, precise, and reliable
- Where you will store the data, who will have access, and how access will be regulated
- How often you will back up the data
- How you will document the data
- Versioning strategy, file naming conventions, and folder structure you will use
- Whether there are any issues with privacy and ownership
- Whether and how you plan to archive and share the data
How to create a Data Management Plan (DMP)
There are several ways to create a DMP. Researchers can use common text editors or write their plan on paper. However, there are also specialized tools that facilitate DMP creation through well-structured questions or provide researchers with navigation and specific explanations of questions.
One such tool is DMPonline. DMPonline provides an online interface with predefined questions and DMP structure for researchers. Using this tool, researchers can create, manage, and share their DMP. Another tool is the Data Stewardship Wizard (DSW), developed as an open-source project. DSW offers a user-friendly interface where researchers progress through each step of creating a DMP and answer specific questions related to their research. The tool provides interactive guides that help researchers better understand DMP requirements and offers specific suggestions and recommendations.
These tools, such as DMPonline and Data Stewardship Wizard, have several advantages. They help researchers structure and plan the management of their data and ensure compliance with data management requirements from funding organizations. With predefined questions and instructions, these tools facilitate DMP creation and help researchers focus on key aspects of data management in their research.
At the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (VŠCHT Praha), we have our instance of the DSW tool: Data Stewardship Wizard (DSW): https://vscht.ds-wizard.org/
A useful resource is the DMP template for Horizon Europe grants, available in the Czech language in the NTK repository: https://doi.org/10.48813/sstg-4g21
Why do you need a DMP?
Data management aims to streamline your work and create greater value for your data during and after the research, for example, by making your data FAIR. Thinking about data management at the beginning of your project ensures that you are well-prepared and helps you uncover or minimize hidden costs.
With good data management planning, you have the following benefits at your fingertips:
