Creating a Data Management Plan

A Data Management Plan outlines how your project’s data will be collected, described, stored, shared, and preserved. It ensures data are handled responsibly and remain accessible and usable over time.

Key Elements to Cover:

Project Summary

• Overview of project goals and data types
• Participating teams or organizations

Data Collection Methods

• Collection tools, equipment, or apps used
• Survey protocols or SOPs
• Temporal and geographic scope

Data Organization

• Folder structure and naming conventions
• Tracking spreadsheets or sheets
• File formating

Metadata & Site Info

• Metadata standards (e.g., ISO 19115)
• Site visit logs and GPS data
• Tools used for metadata creation

Storage & Backup

• Where data are stored (local/cloud)
• Backup strategy and frequency
• Security measures

Access & Sharing

• Plans for public access
• Any access limitations (e.g., Publication)

Archiving

• Archive destination (e.g., NCEI or Google Cloud)
• What will be archived and how
• File naming, structure, and compliance

Roles & Responsibilities

• Data Archivist Point of Contact
• Data management responsibilities

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📄 Download the Data Management Plan Template

Next Step: Prep and QC Your Data