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🟡DMP Guide Sheet

Data Management Plans: Guide Sheet

Data Management Plans: Guide Sheet

Data Management Planning

Understanding the Research Data Lifecycle

Effective research data management begins with thoughtful planning and continues throughout the entire research lifecycle. The Research Data Lifecycle is a framework that outlines the major stages involved in managing data, from initial planning to final sharing and reuse. It helps researchers organize, safeguard, and share data in a structured and sustainable way.

What is a Data Management Plan (DMP)?

A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document that outlines how data will be handled throughout a research project's lifecycle. It describes data collection, storage, documentation, sharing, security, and long-term preservation procedures.

DMPs are increasingly required by funding agencies and research institutions. They can vary in complexity, from internal team documents to formal submissions for external grants. A well-developed DMP is a living document that can be revised as a project progresses.

Why DMPs Matter

A well-crafted DMP:

  • Ensures clear communication and role allocation within the research team

  • Enhances the findability, quality, and long-term value of research data

  • Promotes data sharing and research transparency

  • Helps anticipate and address ethical, legal, and technical challenges

  • Conserves time, funding, and effort through proactive planning

  • Fulfills institutional and funder requirements (e.g., Horizon Europe, ERC)

By encouraging structured data management, a DMP contributes to research integrity and increases the potential impact of your research outcomes.

Key Questions to Consider When Writing a DMP

When developing a DMP, consider the following:

  • Will you need a Data Use Agreement to obtain or share data?

  • What metadata and documentation standards will you follow?

  • What are your institution’s and funder’s data management expectations?

  • Are you collecting new data or reusing existing data?

  • What kind of data will you generate, and in what formats?

  • What is the expected volume of data?

  • Will you need to track versions of your data?

  • What is your storage strategy for active data, and what is your backup policy?

  • How will you store and archive data after the project ends?

  • How will you organize, name, and describe your data files?

  • What are your plans for making the data accessible to others?

  • Are there any privacy, consent, security, or intellectual property considerations?

  • Who on your team is responsible for each data management task?

  • Have you allocated sufficient budget for data management activities?

Support Available

Support is available if you need guidance on writing your DMP or managing any aspect of your data. Contact Richard Dennis, Data Steward for reNEW—Copenhagen Node, for personalized assistance. In-person consultations are available every Wednesday from 14:00 to 15:00 or by appointment.

Data Management Plans Resources

Research Data Management Training Resources

The University of Copenhagen Guide for writing DMP

European Commission Guidance on DMP

Tools for writing DMP

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