Record the daily handling of your data in a data management concept

While an RDM solution represents the deliberate and systematic practice of handling research data, a data management concept (DMC) represents this practice in writing. This is not a comprehensive document, but a clearly structured tool that summarizes the key aspects of RDM in six building blocks:

• Map storage landscape: List all the systems on which your data is stored and define access and archiving paths.
• Visualize data flow: Show the paths your data takes between systems, designate responsibilities and describe established processes.
• Record documentation practice: Describe how you document, what standards you follow and how you organize files and metadata.
• Create awareness: Demonstrate the value of your data and state the legal framework from data protection to export control.
• Describe community interaction: Explain the conditions under which you interact professionally with your community and make data accessible.
• Identify skills and resources: Define available skills in the team and budgeted resources for data management.

A DMC is exactly as complex as your practice requires, no more and no less. A few concise sentences per module, supplemented by illustrations or tables, are often sufficient. Once written, the DMK can be used in a variety of ways: e.g. as an orientation aid to familiarize new team members (onboarding), to present processes and agreements in an understandable way (RDM handbook) or to present your RDM practice transparently to funding institutions (creation of a data management plan).

We would be happy to talk to you. Contact us by e-mail via the Service Center Research Data, book an appointment or take advantage of our further training offer.