Data management planning
Data management planning is a process during which researchers describe the manner in which they plan to manage data during and after their research projects.
- The process of data management planning is facilitated through the use of data management plans.
- Data management plans are documents describing the data used and/or produced during research projects.
- The plans have to be submitted to research funders as part of research grant applications.
What is in a data management plan?
Data management plans provide information which describes the manner in which researchers intend to address specific aspects relating to the research data management lifecycle. This entails providing a description of the following aspects:
- How research data will be collected/generated/created.
- How research data will be processed and analysed.
- How research data will be shared and/or disseminated.
- The measures that will be put in place in order to facilitate the reuse of research data.
DMP software
Researchers can use the following data management planning software application in order to create data management plans:
Funder requirements
- Several research funders now mandate that researchers submit data management plans as part of research grant applications.
- In some instances such plans may have to be resubmitted during the research process.
- Researchers should consult funder policy documents directly in order to assess the specific requirements of the different research funders.
Funder templates
Researchers can access funder templates on both
DMP Tool and
DMP Online.
Publisher requirements
- Some publishers now require that researchers undertake to share their research data.
- Researchers should consult journal data policies directly in order to assess their specific requirements.
University requirements
Stellenbosch University is currently in the process of developing a set of data management planning guidelines for its researchers.