Data Stewardship Wizard: A Smart Assistant for Research Data Management

Why use DSW?

One of the main advantages of DSW is that it significantly reduces the need to read and write long texts. A Data Management Plan is no longer an essay but a structured set of clear answers within a well-organized questionnaire.

The questionnaire is structured and dynamic, meaning you only answer questions relevant to your project. Time savings are further enhanced by preconfigured project templates that include predefined question structures, output formats (e.g., for Horizon Europe), and often pre-filled information, such as funders or contact details. Notes, TODO items, and comments are also included to support completion.

DSW actively guides you through the process—it is not just a form. Each question can include explanations, recommendations, links to additional resources, or examples of best practice. This makes it accessible even to users with limited experience in research data management.

The tool also helps you better understand the quality of your plan. Some answers affect built-in metrics that are continuously evaluated. The resulting score indicates how well your data management is set up and where improvements may be needed.

Another key advantage is flexibility. The content can be easily customized to meet specific needs, including output formats. You can generate DMPs in line with requirements from Horizon Europe, Science Europe, or other funders.

Some questions allow integration with external services or databases. Answers can therefore go beyond text—for example, selecting a specific record or linking to an existing resource. Structured responses can also be machine-readable and reused in other systems, supporting automation and FAIR data principles.

DSW supports collaborative work. Multiple users can work on the same plan simultaneously without issues. You can add comments to specific questions, mark uncertainties with TODO notes, and track change history.

Named versions are also available, allowing you to return to previous versions or regenerate documents at any time. This ensures full transparency over the evolution of your plan.

The development of DSW is strongly driven by user feedback. You can report issues directly within the tool or suggest improvements.

The community around DSW is active and open to sharing experiences and innovations. You can join discussions via Discord.

DSW is an open solution that anyone can use. Organisations can create their own content, customise questionnaire structures, or share templates with others.

Where can DSW be used?

In the Czech Republic, DSW is primarily available via the National Repository Platform (NRP) at dmp.eosc.cz. 

• Unified environment for research in the Czech Republic
• Log in via e-INFRA CZ authentication
• Customised templates and settings
• Centralised management and development

This instance is currently in pilot operation and is intended as the main solution for DMPs within the NRP, where it is gradually being integrated into the emerging national infrastructure (including automation with repositories and other services).

DSW can also be used in other ways, for example, through the ELIXIR infrastructure or via institutional deployments, either locally hosted or cloud-based. These options differ in terms of support and customization, so it is recommended that you consult your institution to determine the most suitable solution.

Training and additional resources

The EOSC CZ Training Center provides recording of DSW training session.

Additional guidance is available through online tutorials and step-by-step guides on the DSW website. For example, an introductory video explaining the tool can be found here.