{"id":8837,"date":"2026-07-23T11:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T09:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.rwth-aachen.de\/forschungsdaten\/?p=8837"},"modified":"2026-07-23T09:14:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T07:14:08","slug":"fdm-checkliste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.rwth-aachen.de\/forschungsdaten\/en\/2026\/07\/23\/fdm-checkliste\/","title":{"rendered":"RDM Checklist: Be Well Prepared for Your Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Illustration<\/a>

Source: Own Illustration<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Vacation season is just around the corner, and for many researchers, that means a well-deserved break. But before you put your laptop away for a few days or weeks, it\u2019s worth taking a quick look at research data management (RDM). With just a little preparation, you can ensure that your research data is protected, that projects can continue to run smoothly even while you\u2019re away, and that your substitutes have all the necessary information at their fingertips. In this post, we provide an overview of the most important steps you should take regarding research data management before going on vacation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Check Data Storage and Backups<\/span><\/h3>\n

Are all current research data stored in a central location? Have important files been backed up, and are they not stored exclusively on your laptop or a USB drive?<\/p>\n

Before you leave, verify that all relevant data is stored on the designated storage systems and that up-to-date backups are available. This ensures your data remains protected even in the event of technical issues or equipment failures.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Update Documentation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Complete and up-to-date documentation makes it easier for both your substitute and yourself to stay on top of things and ensures a smooth return to work after your vacation. Record the status of ongoing experiments, evaluations, or analyses, and document any outstanding tasks. Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs)<\/a>, project notes, or other documentation systems help you document your current work status in a clear and traceable manner.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Check Access Rights<\/span><\/h3>\n

Check well in advance whether colleagues or substitutes can access the necessary data, documents, and project folders. At the same time, access rights should be granted only to the extent necessary to ensure that sensitive data remains protected.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Keep Track of Deadlines and Obligations<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before your vacation, take a look at upcoming deadlines, project reports, or other obligations. If important deadlines are coming up during your absence, coordinate with your substitute or your team well in advance. This helps avoid delays and unnecessary time pressure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inform Collaboration Partners<\/span><\/h3>\n

A brief notification of planned absences is particularly helpful in joint research projects. Let your project partners know when you will be unavailable and who will be covering for you during that time. In addition, it\u2019s a good idea to set up an out-of-office message in Outlook so that external inquiries are automatically informed of your absence and, if applicable, who is covering for you. Clear communication channels facilitate collaboration and prevent misunderstandings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pre-Vacation Checklist<\/span><\/h3>\n