The Machine Actionable Plans (MAP) Pilot project is in its final phase, providing institutions with resources for exploring potential uses of machine-actionable data-management plans (maDMPs).
Pilot Overview
The pilot was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS LG-254861-OLS-23) and grew out of a partnership between the California Digital Library (CDL) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Designed to address the urgent needs of academic libraries to meet increasing requirements for sharing research data, the pilot explored the integration of maDMPs with existing research and IT systems.
The pilot worked directly with several institutions, providing the opportunity to take the infrastructure built by the DMP Tool and implement machine-actionable approaches in alignment with their organizations’ goals. Each institution designed its own project with consideration given to local data-management challenges and opportunities. Some focused on technical developments using API integrations, including automation and tool builds, while others prioritized collaboration and relationship-building across departments in support of research data management. Partners found value in not only progressing pilots at their own institutions, but sharing learnings and outcomes across institutions, deepening insight into common challenges and opportunities, as well as expanding collaborative relationships.
ARL’s Judy Ruttenberg notes:
At the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) we are thrilled to see how much value the pilot institutions found in working with each other, pooling perspectives and sharing insights, coming together to face large-scale common challenges and respond to new opportunities. In our MAP Pilot Webinar Series, pilot institutions demonstrated library leadership and the positive effects of multiple units working together across campus.
MAP Pilot Report
An overview 28-page report provides information around the project’s background, summary of pilot activities and DMP Tool development, pilot observations, and summary key recommendations for institutions.
Case Studies
Pilot partners—including Arizona State University; Northwestern University; Pennsylvania State University; University of California, Riverside; and the University of Colorado Boulder—share their pilot activities, learnings, and recommendations in a series of short case studies.
Key Recommendations
A collection of short recommendation guides has been prepared for institutional stakeholder groups to support those exploring maDMPs. Guides are available for researchers, librarians, IT & information security departments, and grant offices.
Several partner institutions are also preparing additional reports with more detail to be made available to the wider community. These will be listed on the MAP Pilot Project webpage as they become available.
The MAP Pilot team hopes that ARL members will find these resources useful in engaging with colleagues at their institution to explore the deep benefits that maDMPs can yield. The team thanks all of the pilot institutions for their participation, collaboration, and generosity with their time in sharing their learnings with the community.
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit membership organization of research libraries and archives in major public and private universities, federal government agencies, and large public institutions in Canada and the US. ARL champions research libraries and archives, develops visionary leaders, and shapes policy for the equitable advancement of knowledge.
