Free PDF template
Free Data Management Plan Template for Startups
Document what data a product creates or receives, where it lives, who can access it, how long it is retained and how the team will keep it usable and controlled.
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What the template covers
- +Data flow mapping & inventory
- +Storage, retention & deletion schedules
- +Access control & role definitions
- +Third-party processor tracking
Use it when
- +A research prototype is becoming a commercial product
- +Sensitive or regulated data crosses several systems
- +A funder, university or partner expects a data plan
- +Retention and ownership decisions are currently informal
What it does not replace
- –A complete information-security management system
- –A replacement for records of processing or a DPIA
- –A static document that is never updated as systems change
How to use it
- 01Inventory datasets, formats, sources and owners
- 02Draw storage, transfer and processing boundaries
- 03Define access, retention, deletion and backup rules
- 04Record processors, sharing and continuity dependencies
- 05Review the plan whenever the product or data flow changes
Frequently asked questions
Is a data management plan only for research?
No. The format is common in research, but the same decisions are valuable for startups and data-heavy products that need clear ownership, retention and access rules.
How often should it be updated?
Update it when data sources, purposes, vendors, infrastructure, retention rules or ownership change, and review it on a regular cadence.