This case study draws on presentations and discussions from the Finland edition of the ELIXIR Node Data Management Strategy (NDMS) module in 2023. The original training materials and shared notes are available through the ELITMa Finland workshop materials.
During the workshop, participants explored an early version of an RDM services maturity model. It covered areas such as strategy and sustainability, legal aspects, support, and data and metadata management. For each area, participants could compare their current situation with descriptions of different stages of development. This helped them discuss what was already well developed and where there was room for improvement.
Why is this relevant?
Assessing your current situation can easily start to feel like scoring or comparing performance. That was not how participants in Espoo saw the exercise.
During the discussion, participants described the model as a tool for self-assessment rather than competition. They even questioned whether “maturity model” was the best name and suggested that a “profile” might better reflect its purpose.
The aim was to understand where a Node currently stood and use that understanding as a basis for further discussion.
What can Nodes learn from this?
- Self-assessment is not about ranking Nodes. The value lies in understanding your own situation and having a structured discussion about it.
- Different areas can be at different stages. Training may already be well established while policies or other services are still developing.
- Not everything has to sit within the Node. Support may be provided by partner institutions or other infrastructures, and some areas may be outside the Node’s scope.
- Differences are useful information. Strengths, gaps and variation between institutions or services can help build a more realistic picture of the current situation.
- Assessment comes before prioritisation. First understand where you are. Decisions about where you want to go follow in the next step.
What can you do?
When reviewing your own assessment, look at the picture across the areas you selected and discuss what stands out.
You may find areas that are already working well, differences between institutions or services, or aspects that could be strengthened. Record these observations without turning them into priorities or actions yet.
The aim at this stage is to build a shared picture of where you are. That picture will provide the starting point for deciding where you want to go in the next chapter.