# Data Management Planning

A data management plan (DMP) is a short, forward-looking document that describes how a project's data will be collected, described, stored, shared, and preserved. Preparing one early is good research practice — it clarifies roles and responsibilities before fieldwork begins, surfaces storage and access requirements while they can still be resourced, and helps meet the expectations of funders and repositories.

A DMP does more than support the production of data by identifying a project's datasets. It also enables the production of early metadata: once the datasets, formats, spatial and temporal scope, and custodianship are known, a preliminary metadata record can be drafted and published in the catalogue well before final data are archived. This makes the work discoverable during the project rather than only at its end.

## What we expect in a DMP

At minimum, a DMP should capture:

- **What** — the datasets to be produced and their scientific purpose.
- **Formats** — the file types and any structural or vocabulary conventions.
- **Storage and access** — where the data will live during and after the project, and who can reach it.
- **How the data will be made available** — the pathway to discovery and reuse, including any planned metadata publications.

The following worked example shows the level of detail and scope we look for.

:::{admonition} Example — project DMP summary
:class: tip

**What.** Data will be collected during the 2026/27 Antarctic field season and will primarily consist of two datasets. The first dataset is hyperspectral imagery (as data cubes) collected using RPAS, used to characterise target areas based on distinct spectral signatures with the help of spectrum unmixing models. The second dataset comprises individual spectral end-members, collected using handheld spectrometers.

**Formats.** The spectral end-members are stored as CSV files containing wavelength and absorbance values, with each spectrum linked to spatially representative metadata. Two primary metadata records will be maintained: one describing the hyperspectral image library, and one describing the spectral CSV files.

**Storage and access.** Data storage and access will be managed via the University of Waikato's SharePoint infrastructure, with several terabytes of data expected.

**How the data will be made available.** Metadata records will be published through Antarctica New Zealand's Metadata Catalogue ([https://antcat.antarcticanz.govt.nz](https://antcat.antarcticanz.govt.nz)). A follow-up review of data management is planned for the end of March 2027, during which preliminary metadata will be developed and published in Antarctica New Zealand's Metadata Catalogue.
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:::{note}
For assistance with developing a DMP, please contact Mike Meredyth-Young (<a href="mailto:m.meredyth-young@antarcticanz.govt.nz" style="white-space: nowrap;">m.meredyth-young@antarcticanz.govt.nz</a>).
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