A data management plan is a formal document you develop at the start of your research project which outlines all aspects of managing your data, both during and after your project. Data management is all about making your work efficient, and create more value for your data for yourself and others, during and after your research. For instance by working towards FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) or Open data. Thinking about data management at the start of your project will ensure that you are well prepared.