Planning management of data
Even before you start collecting or producing data, it’s good to plan how it will be handled throughout and after the project. Aspects to be considered include:
- assess what ethical and legal aspects that are relevant to data management
- determine whether the project involves collaboration with other research principals
- ensure that relevant permits and agreements are in place
- assess whether intellectual property rights need to be dealt with
- classify information, estimate data volumes and plan for appropriate storage solution
- estimate possible need for high-performance computing resources
- expected costs for a project's data management are budgeted
- a plan for long-term data retention.
Data management plan
A well elaborated data management plan (DMP) can be a support in the implementation of a project. Many research funders and other parties require a DMP, sometimes in a shorter version already when applying for funding.

Agreements and permits
Various permits and agreements relating to and regulating data management may need to be drawn up before a project starts.

Data security and classification of information
Research data can be difficult to recreate and often contain confidential information. Having a plan for how data will be stored and protected is therfore important.
