Research Data Management: Data Management Planning

A Data Management Plan (DMP) outlines how data is to be managed during a research project, and after the project is completed.  Many funders require a data management plan, either as part of the application process or once a grant has been awarded. 

It is good practice to create a DMP for any research project.

This libguide and the online RDM training provide information and guidance to help you with data management planning.  Details of further support available to DMU Research Staff are available on DMU Connect.

Data Management Planning helps you to:

• Save time and effort by planning up front and considering what data will be created and how
• Know what systems and support you will need
• Check that resources are available, and are costed into bids
• Make sound decisions, bearing in mind the wider context and consequences of different options
• Identify and resolve potential difficulties before the project starts
• Meet funder requirements both for the production of Data Management Plans, and also for the management and sharing of data.
• Meet publisher requirements for making underpinning data openly available
• Ensure you can take advantage of the benefits of sharing data

If your project is funded or seeking funding, your funder may specify what they want included in the Data Management Plan.  Areas covered typically include:

• Data Types, Formats, Standards and Capture Methods 
• Ethics and Intellectual Property 
• Access, Data Sharing and Reuse 
• Short-Term Storage and Data Management 
• Deposit and Long-Term Preservation
• Resourcing 

DMP Online: A free web-based tool developed by the Digital Curation Centre to help you write data management plans.  If you are writing a DMP for a funder, it includes the areas to cover to meet that funder's requirements.  DMU recommends using this tool.

Checklist for a Data Management Plan: Another useful Digital Curation Centre resource.  It provides a checklist of the main questions or themes that researchers might want to include in a DMP.

Example DMPs: Examples of DMPs that have been accepted by various funders are available from the Digital Curation Centre.

Policy on Managing Research Data at DMU 

"All new research proposals for external funding must include research data management plans or protocols (DMPs) in line with the relevant funders’ policies"