Overview

DMPTool2 is currently immersed in the execution phases of the project. Each team has met significant project deadlines and milestones. Furthermore, the group is deeply engaged with each of the User Advisory Boards, implementing feedback into the project as well as engaging in constructive discussion with each board.

Technical Team

The technical team has made significant progress on development. The technical development schedule has been finalized and is currently on track. Much of the first of four planned phases is complete. Initial wireframes were presented to Administrative User and Researcher Advisory Boards at the end of May. The team is currently processing feedback from the boards to influence some remaining minor changes. As all the login functionality pieces fall into place, focus has shifted toward user interface design. Most functionality should be in place by the end of August, when efforts will transition toward the open API. In preparation, the technical team has already reached out to the Center for Open Science to discuss integrating the DMPTool2 into their Open Science Framework.

Communications/Outreach Team

The Outreach Coordinator position faced significant bureaucratic delays in May; however, with the coordinator now hired, the team is at work developing an outreach plan. Meanwhile, the team was successful in attaining targeted feedback and directing specific questions to the Advisory Boards in May. The communications team is currently coordinating responses to board inquiries and tentatively scheduling the next meeting for the beginning of September. Furthermore, while the team regularly receives collaborative agreements from Partner Institutions, we have only received 30 agreements. The outreach team is currently discussing strategies to attain the rest in a timely manner. Finally, the recently-launched webinar series has met success. The first two sessions had 150 and 80 participants, respectively.

Metrics

The outcome metrics outlined in Sloan Foundation communications are currently being used to track and evaluate project success. After defining each metric, the DMPTool team has assessed its progress toward each goal as well as a tentative due date for each. The project management team is currently discussing an objective-based strategy with the outreach team and technical team. Furthermore, we have presented initial impact metrics to Advisory Boards, the feedback from which has proved to be useful in refocusing the team’s current concentration.

Overall Project

Though it is still estimated that certain aspects may carry into early next year, the overall project is on track to end on time. In the next month, we expect to see significant strides in technical development and outreach efforts.