Harvard Research Data Management Lifecycle Checklist

This checklist serves as a reference to keep track of the elements that make up good research data management throughout the data lifecycle. Using the section prompts, you can identify gaps and communicate elements of data management to members of your research team.

Please note that this resource does not cover every single aspect of RDM, and it is likely that certain data management practices specific to your research, your type(s) of data, and your needs are not covered.

This checklist was first created in 2017 by the Longwood Medical Area Research Data Management Working Group. The most recent update was conducted in 2024, and published on October 2, 2024.