Planning your data management does not have to mean writing long documents based on instructions and templates. In this introductory, more general part, we present the Data Stewardship Wizard (DSW). This online tool guides you through the entire research data management process, step by step and in a clear, user-friendly way, without unnecessary administrative burden. Instead of writing complex texts, you answer well-designed questions, as if you were in dialogue with a data management expert. DSW adapts to your project and helps you decide how to collect, store, share, and preserve your data in the long term.
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.
“DSW significantly helps me when introducing researchers to Data Management Plans (DMPs). When we start, I first show them the tool and how easy it is to identify which questions really matter—for example, through colour indicators. I especially appreciate the nested questions feature: additional questions only appear when relevant. These features save me a lot of time.”
Georgia Koutentaki
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.
In the Czech Republic, DSW is primarily available via the National Repository Platform (NRP) at dmp.eosc.cz.
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.
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.
This year’s Summer School for Data Stewards, held in Malá Morávka in the Jeseníky Mountains, offered a practical programme focused on tools, skills and approaches that can make the everyday work of data stewards easier.
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