How to Create a Data Management Plan Using DMPTool

This resource provides guidance on creating a data management (and sharing) plan using DMPTool. The example provided below uses the NIH-Default DMSP template, so some screens (particularly the Write Plan tab) will look different depending on the template you are using. Additional DMPTool features, such as registering and sharing your plan, are not covered here. If you have questions, please email isaac.wink@uky.edu.

Isaac Wink
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11 steps
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3 minutes

Navigate to [https://dmptool.org/plans](https://dmptool.org/plans)

Click "Create plan".

An image of the DMPTool dashboard with the Create Plan button highlighted.

Fill in your project information by creating a project name, selecting the primary research organization (University of Kentucky by default), and selecting a funder by typing in the name of the funding organization and then selecting it from the dropdown list.

Select a DMP template to use for filling in your plan. In most cases, the default plan for your funding organization will be the best choice. When you're done, click "Create plan".

Add details regarding your project, including a brief abstract, research domain, and anticipated start and end dates (if applicable).

**(Optional)** Add contributors under the Collaborators tab so that they will also be able to see and edit your DMP.

The Write Plan tab will show the questions included in the DMP you selected under collapsed headings. Click any heading to expand the section.

Fill in your response for each question on the plan. If you aren't sure how to respond to a question, refer to the fill-in-the-blank prompt below the question or the guidance in the right-hand column, which typically includes links to instructions from the funding agency as well as tips from DMPTool.

(Optional) Once you've started on your plan, you can request feedback on it from the Request Feedback tab. If you do so, a UK librarian will be notified and will be able to provide feedback on how to improve your plan.

Once your plan is complete, you can export it from the Download tab. by default, your plan will be downloaded as a PDF. However, if you need to make additional edits or formatting changes to the plan, you can download it as a docx (Word document) file instead.

Adjust any additional settings on your file and its formatting, then click "Download Plan".