New feature to describe code and software management in DMP OPIDoR

Since June 25, 2025, it has been possible to specifically describe
different research products in DMP OPIDoR. In addition to the data questionnaire, DMP OPIDoR has a dedicated questionnaire for source code and research software.

This questionnaire was designed to take into account the specificities of the source code and software lifecycle. It addresses issues such as general software description, development tools and execution environments, software preservation (referencing and long-term archiving), legal aspects (authors, licenses), and associated scientific development.

The main objective of this approach is to help researchers anticipate the challenges associated with software development. The questionnaire highlights best practices to adopt throughout the development project. It also helps define roles and responsibilities within the team, structure development, and select the appropriate infrastructure and tools for producing quality, well-documented software.

Engaging in this process of questioning and description from the outset of a project allows for the definition of the actions necessary to ensure the software's sustainability, visibility, long-term preservation, as well as its reuse and contribution to research reproducibility. In DMP OPIDoR, it is now possible to describe the management of different research products within a single plan, using one of two available questionnaires, depending on the type of product: software or other (datasets, models, etc.). The responses provided are readable by both humans and machines, facilitating their reuse.

This questionnaire was developed by a working group comprising members of the Data Gouv Research data workshops and the DMP OPIDoR team, with the support of the Source Code and Software College of the Open Science Committee.

This update to DMP OPIDoR incorporates the new version of the tool launched last month, which also features other new features, such as the ability to share your structured DMP with the ANR (National Agency for National Research).

More information on DMP OPIDoR: DMP OPIDoR, Online Help

Contact: dmp.opidor@inist.fr

Original article on Ouvrir la science