A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document outlining how you will handle data during your research project and after the project is complete.
- Data management addresses the entire lifecycle of your data--from creation to organization, access, storage, preservation, and distribution.
- Managing your research data ensures that it will be accessible and usable over time.
- Managing your data is a key step to avoiding false claims, and to not losing your information.
- A data management plan may be required by a grant funding agency, plus it's a good idea to organize your data for you, your labmates, and colleagues.