Plan-Track-Assess Framework
To advance FAIR data practices across disciplines and countries, the current fragmented landscape must be replaced with a unified framework that addresses shared challenges based on researchers’ needs.
OSTrails is built on the concept of Plan–Track–Assess Framework, provides a tool-independent framework that outlines how researchers, research managers, and funders plan, track, and assess the management of Digital Objects in alignment with the FAIR Principles.
The Plan-Track-Assess framework comprises three main components: Data Management Planning platforms, Scientific Knowledge Graphs, and FAIR assessment tools. This Framework, highlighted in D1.1. Plan-Track-Assess Pathways, describes the key pathways — blueprints that illustrate the interactions between the three main components.
The Framework outlines both the actions that service users perform and the automated interactions between services that enable data exchange and workflow automation. Within the PTA Framework, three main pathways have been explored:
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Refines the creation and review of DMPs, enhancing integration with SKGs and repositories, and improving metadata quality and evaluation.
User stories (Represents in the pathway diagrams show how components are used to deliver value to stakeholders, and how they interact with each other)
When preparing a research project, a researcher creates a Data Management Plan using a DMP Tool following the request from funders, or on their own initiative. For this, they may search for “records” in a repository, or retrieve their metadata via SKGs, or (later in the process) evaluate completeness and FAIRness of a DMP via a DMP evaluator. Below within the PTA Framework the plan "pathway" is represented.
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Uses SKGs to monitor and evaluate the FAIRness of research outputs, while improving tracking capabilities and ensuring interoperability with DMP platforms and FAIR assessment tools.
User stories (Represents in the pathway diagrams show how components are used to deliver value to stakeholders, and how they interact with each other)
During the active research phase, SKGs are typically employed by researchers to access a full record of a Digital Object (DO) in a repository, evaluate the FAIRness of metadata via a FAIR evaluator, and/or add a reference to a DO to the DMP via a DMP tool. Below within the PTA Framework the track "pathway" is represented.
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Provides comprehensive evaluation tools for DMPs and research outputs, ensuring interoperability with SKGs and repositories, and offering both automated and manual options for assessment.
User stories (Represents in the pathway diagrams show how components are used to deliver value to stakeholders, and how they interact with each other)
In the evaluation of a DMP, a researcher may access full records of the research output mentioned in the DMP via the repository where they are stored. Below within the PTA Framework the assess "pathway" is represented.
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Related sources
Deliverable 1.1: Plan-Track-Assess Pathways
Established the foundational PTA Framework that maps how researchers, research managers, and funders interact with DMPs, SKGs, and FAIR assessment tools throughout the research lifecycle.
Deliverable 1.4: OSTrails Interoperability Reference Architecture V1
This deliverable introduces the OSTrails reference architecture and three Interoperability Frameworks for DMPs, SKGs, and FAIR Assessment. It outlines interactions between components, clarifying standardised methods while allowing flexible implementation.
Deliverable 4.2 Horizon Europe Report
A Delivered first comprehensive integration of all three Interoperability Frameworks (DMP-IF, SKG-IF, FAIR-IF) with real-world evidence, demonstrating complete Plan-Track-Assess pathway in operational context.
Technical documentation for OSTrails, the Open Science Plan-Track-Assess Pathways project.