Many funding agencies require researchers to include a data management plan with their grant applications explaining how they intend to make the data generated from the research publicly accessible. University administration and campus service providers could potentially leverage the content of data management plans to facilitate compliance and reduce the burden on researchers. A case study at the University of Michigan demonstrates the promise of using data management plans as a communications and information sharing tool and the barriers in doing so. I apply the results of a content analysis to develop a series of recommendations to funding agencies, university administration, and campus service providers to improve the utility of data management plans in supporting data sharing and compliance.