Data Management Toolkit

What is a data management plan?

A data management plan (DMP) is a brief document that outlines how you will collect, organize, manage, store, secure, backup, preserve, and share your research data. A DMP shows that you have an effective plan for your data throughout its lifecycle, including after the research is complete.

As more funders and institutions, including the Department of Defense, require a DMP as part of a grant proposal, it's important to know how to write a DMP and why they're important. DoD Instruction 3200.12 requires a DMP to be submitted to DTIC at the start of each research effort.

What is included in a DMP?

Each funder or institution will have specific criteria for what should be included in a DMP. DoD Instruction 3200.12 (pp. 14-15) states that a data management plan should include:

1. The types of data, software, and other materials to be produced.
2. How the data will be acquired.
3. Time and location of data acquisition, if scientifically pertinent.
4. How the data will be processed.
5. The file formats and the naming conventions that will be used.
6. A description of the quality assurance and quality control measures during collection, analysis, and processing.
7. A description of dataset origin when existing data resources are used.
8. A description of the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content.
9. Appropriate timeframe for preservation.
10. The plan may consider the balance between the relative value of data preservation and other factors such as the associated cost and administrative burden. The plan will provide a justification for such decisions.
11. A statement that the data cannot be made available to the public when there are national security or controlled unclassified information concerns (e.g., "This data cannot be cleared for public release in accordance with the requirements in DoD Directive 5230.09.")

When should a DMP be written?

It's a best practice to write a DMP in the planning phases of a project. Most institutions and funders will require a DMP before research is approved. That being said, it's never too late to write a DMP and implement good data management practices.

How does this guide help?

This guide will take you step-by-step through the current DoD DMP requirements, explaining the basics of how to write a DMP, listing best practices, and giving tips.

Example DMPs

Examples of unclassified DoD-compliant data management plans can be found on DTIC. To access them, use your CAC to sign into the site, search "data management plan" (in parentheses), and filter the results to the last 12 months. 

Research Commons librarians are also available to curate a list of relevant unclassified DMPs for your review. For more information, email a library expert.