9 Practical Implementations
Now that we have explored the underpinnings of a data management plan, let’s consider some of the practical implementations of data management planning.
9.1 Understand your project requirements
Different funders and institutions have different requirements for research projects, more generally, and data management, more specifically. As you consider and create your DMP make sure to research these requirements and even link to them in your DMP so they are easy to find (sometimes it can be challenging to even find them)!
9.2 Consult, collaborate and seek advice from appropriate stakeholders
For large research projects you may need to consider the requirements of collaborators or multiple funders. It’s important to seek advice and consult with these groups early so that all your requirements are met (see above), but also so you understand which organisations are responsible for what aspects of your data management (see below).
9.3 Understand your existing support and infrastructure provision
As research institutions, Universities usually have dedicated teams to assist your research projects, whether that is compiling and submitting your research funding applications or assisting with data management plans. Research or IT Services (each University tends to have a unique name for this department) often provides information about the latest advice and requirements for data management and, in some instances, will review your DMPs.
9.4 Be able to clearly define the roles and responsibilities within your project
For a DMP it is really useful to, as in any project management, be able to identify specific people whose responsibility it is to manage and document your research data. As a shared document from across your research project team, this ensures everyone is clear on who does what and that nothing is forgotten as your progress. But remember, sometimes project staff change, so do remember to update your plan accordingly.
9.5 Be prepared to implement your plan
Make your plan straightforward and simple enough that if you are fortunate enough to win your project funding that it is easy to implement your data management plan. If your plan is overly complicated it may take time to figure out all the intricacies of your project and in the meantime you may overlook data being created as you start your research.
Remember, a DMP:
- Is a collaborative process, between the Research team and institutional IT/Research teams
- Should link into existing policies, such as funding requirements, IPR policies, IT security and storage information
- Should be concise! Funding applications only provide limited space for this information
- Should be flexible! DMP requirements vary between organisation and funder.
- Can be made easy by using tools for data management planning (see below)!
9.6 Plan to Reuse your data
Planning for reuse is a useful strategy in both data management planning and considering the long term preservation of your research data.
“The single most useful thing you can do to ensure the long-term preservation of your data is to plan for it to be reused. Imagining it being re-used by someone else who has never met you and who never will meet you, will cause you to approach the creation and design of your data in a new light.” Prof. Julian Richards, Director Archaeology Data Service
9.7 Useful Tools
9.7.1 DMP Online
A useful tool for creating data management plans is DMP Online, which helps you to “create, review, and share data management plans that meet institutional and funder requirements”.
It’s free to use and you can login via your institutional accreditation.
What does it offer?
- Templates to suit both funder and institutional requirements
- The ability to share plans with collaborators (within and beyond your institution)
- A number of publicly accessible exemplars
- A really useful resource list for data management planning