At the start of the PARSEC project the Data Strand wanted to get an ‘entry profile’: a picture of current data activity of the team members and their experience with tools along the data lifecycle. In the case of a synthesis group, where re-use of existing data is the standard, some of the traditional research life cycle steps are missed (e.g. Michener, 2012), a simplified data lifecycle being more relevant. In this project we wish to periodically review the status of • understanding and awareness of the wider data landscape, and • use of tools both across the whole group (synthesis and data strands), which will help us gauge group development. This will enable us, at an individual level to: (i) respond to needs, such as provide training opportunities, and (ii) most effectively capitalise on the skillsets in the group. Reference Michener, W.K., Allard, S., Budden, A., Cook, R.B., Douglass, K., Frame, M., Kelling, S., Koskela, R., Tenopir, C., Vieglais, D. (2012) Participatory design of DataONE—Enabling cyberinfrastructure for the biological and environmental sciences. Ecological Informatics 11: 5-15.