--- title: The 5 W's of eTMF Planning description: Take a look at what the 5 Ws of eTMF Planning really mean in this great infographic we put together. image: https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/5%20-%20Blog%20Images/Archive/2019%20Blog%20Images/5W's%20of%20eTMF%20planning.png --- [![Montrium\_Logo\_smaller](https://blog.montrium.com/hs-fs/hubfs/montrium-2023/images/logo/Montrium_Logo_smaller.png?width=130&height=32&name=Montrium_Logo_smaller.png "Montrium_Logo_smaller")](https://www.montrium.com/) ← - Products Close ## Book a live demo Schedule a demo with a representative. - ## Products Our pre-configured applications enable our clients to work better and smarter. ![63f778fbb0527c09d8b57985\_Group](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/montrium-2023/images/header/63f778fbb0527c09d8b57985_Group.svg) ## Book on our demo today! 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The same can be said for Electronic Trial Master Files.  The use of Electronic Trial Master File (eTMF) systems in the Life Sciences has been increasing rapidly over the past few years. The increase in eTMF use has often meant organizations have rushed into eTMF, not putting in place the vital processes that will deliver eTMF success.  As an eTMF vendor, Montrium helps life sciences organizations transition to eTMFs on a weekly basis. We are constantly reminding our clients of the change in mindset that is required as they transition to an eTMF, and that moving to an electronic system doesn't mean mimicking their  paper process. Meaningful eTMF planning at Montrium hinges on 5 key pillars, these are shown below. **What: Expected artifacts** **Who: Roles and responsibilities** **When: Milestones, Events, and timeliness standards** **Where: Systems that hold the authoritative source** **Why: Processes and events** Take a look at what the 5 W's of eTMF Planning really mean in this great infographic we put together. If you find the infographic useful, remember to share it on with your colleagues. ![Oliver Pearce](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/oliver1.png) Oliver Pearce Oliver heads up Montrium's Commercialization team and is a regular contributor to the Montrium blog. Oliver writes on a wide range of topics that tie in his passion for technology and his deep understanding of the regulatory requirements. ## Get our best content delivered straight to your inbox ![subscribe-top](https://20882350.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20882350/Montrium-2023/Blog/Images/subscribe-top.svg) ## You may also like [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/Blog/eTMF-Inspections.jpg) - Inspection Readiness - Trial Master Files Electronic Trial Master Files (eTMF): What do the Regulatory Inspectors Really Expect? Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/electronic-trial-master-files-etmf-what-the-regulatory-inspectors-really-expect) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/on-site%20inspections.jpg) - Inspection Readiness - Trial Master Files Do on-site TMF Inspections have a shelf life? Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/do-on-site-tmf-inspections-have-a-shelf-life) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/Blog/3-Models-for-eTMF-Centralization.jpg) - Trial Master Files 3 Models for eTMF Centralization & Interchange Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/3-models-for-etmf-centralization-interchange) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/1%20-%20Images/Social%20Suggested%20Images/TMF-Reference-Model-2.jpg) - Regulations & Standards - Trial Master Files What is the TMF Reference Model? Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/the-tmf-reference-model) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/1%20-%20Images/Social%20Suggested%20Images/it_trends_2016-720x360.png) - Validation - Quality - Trial Master Files Top Articles You May Have Missed from the Montrium Blog in 2016 Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/top-articles-you-may-have-missed-from-the-montrium-blog-in-2016) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/Blog/eTMF-Features-Completeness-Blog.jpg) - Inspection Readiness - Trial Master Files The Beginner's Guide to eTMF Completeness Reporting Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/the-beginners-guide-to-etmf-completeness-reporting-and-how-to-get-started) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/11%20-%20Images/Stock%20images/ActiveTMFManagement.jpg) - ClinOps - Trial Master Files 5 Ways the New eTMF Navigator Will Change How You Manage Clinical Trials Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/4-ways-the-new-etmf-navigator-will-change-how-you-manage-clinical-trials) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/Blog/Business-Case-eTMF-Thumb.jpg) - ClinOps - Trial Master Files How to Create a Business Case for eTMF That Your Board Can't Refuse Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/how-to-create-a-business-case-for-etmf-that-your-board-cant-refuse) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/Blog/Managing-Trial-Documents-in-an-eTMF.jpg) - ClinOps - Trial Master Files Managing Trial Documents from Start to Finish in an eTMF Application Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/managing-trial-documents-from-start-to-finish-in-an-etmf-application) [![](https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/Montrium_10%20FAQ%20about%20TMF-1.webp) - Trial Master Files 10 FAQ’s About Trial Master Files (TMF) and Archiving….Answered Read It](https://blog.montrium.com/blog/10-faqs-about-trial-master-files-tmf-and-archiving-answered) ## Get our best content delivered straight to your inbox [![Montrium\_White\_Logo\_smaller](https://blog.montrium.com/hs-fs/hubfs/montrium-2023/images/logo/Montrium_White_Logo_smaller.png?width=130&height=32&name=Montrium_White_Logo_smaller.png "Montrium_White_Logo_smaller")](https://www.montrium.com/) #### Montrium eTMF - [eTMF Connect](https://www.montrium.com/etmf-connect) - [eTMF Connect features](https://www.montrium.com/etmf-connect-features) #### Montrium RIM - [RegDocs Connect](https://www.montrium.com/regdocs-connect) - [RegDocs Connect features](https://www.montrium.com/regdocs-connect-features) #### Montrium QMS - [Quality Connect](https://www.montrium.com/quality-connect) - [Quality Connect features](https://www.montrium.com/quality-management-software-features) #### Platform overview - [Platform overview](https://www.montrium.com/platform-overview) - [Pricing](https://www.montrium.com/pricing) - [Montrium FAQ](https://www.montrium.com/faq#anchorFaq) - [Trust center](https://www.montrium.com/trust-center) #### Resources - [Demo center](https://www.montrium.com/demo-center) - [Resource center](https://www.montrium.com/resource-center) - [Podcasts](https://www.montrium.com/podcasts) - [Webinars](https://www.montrium.com/webinars) - [Blog](https://blog.montrum.com/blog) #### Montrium by industry - [Non-profit](https://www.montrium.com/montrium-by-industry/non-profit) - [Medical device](https://www.montrium.com/montrium-by-industry/medical-devices) - [CRO](https://www.montrium.com/montrium-by-industry/cros) - [Pharma/Biotech](https://www.montrium.com/montrium-by-industry/pharma-biotech) #### Adobe Acrobat Validation - [Adobe Acrobat validation services](https://www.montrium.com/adobe-sign-validation-services) - [Free Adobe Acrobat validation pack](https://www.montrium.com/adobe-sign-validation-pack) #### Montrium by team - [Clinical operations](https://www.montrium.com/clinical-operations) - [Regulatory affairs](https://www.montrium.com/regulatory-affairs) - [Quality and compliance](https://www.montrium.com/quality-and-compliance) - [IT & security](https://www.montrium.com/it-and-security) #### Company - [About](https://www.montrium.com/about) - [Newsroom](https://www.montrium.com/newsroom) - [Events](https://www.montrium.com/events) #### Contacts 507 Place d'Armes,Suite 1500 Montreal, QC H2Y 2W8,Canada +1.514.223.9153  [info@montrium.com](mailto:info@montrium.com) Montrium Europe SPRL,Boulevard de Waterloo77 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium +32.2.808.3008 [info@montrium.com](mailto:info@montrium.com) #### Socials [Follow us on Facebook](https://twitter.com/Montrium) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.facebook.com/Montrium/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.linkedin.com/company/montrium) Montrium Inc. All rights reserved, 2026 [Terms and Conditions](https://www.montrium.com/terms-conditions) [Privacy Legacy](https://www.montrium.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Oliver Pearce", "url" : "https://blog.montrium.com/blog/author/oliver-pearce" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-17T19:36:36.587Z", "datePublished" : "2017-09-19T14:40:00.000Z", "headline" : "The 5 W's of eTMF Planning", "image" : [ "https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/5%20-%20Blog%20Images/Archive/2019%20Blog%20Images/5W's%20of%20eTMF%20planning.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.montrium.com/blog/the-5-ws-of-etmf-planning", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.montrium.com/hubfs/montrium_logo_2023_gradient.png" }, "name" : "Montrium" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.montrium.com/blog/the-5-ws-of-etmf-planning/#breadcrumbs", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.montrium.com", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.montrium.com/blog", "name" : "Montrium Blog", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.montrium.com/blog/the-5-ws-of-etmf-planning", "name" : "The 5 W's of eTMF Planning", "position" : 3 } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.montrium.com/blog/the-5-ws-of-etmf-planning/#blogposting", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Trial Master Files" } ], "articleSection" : "Trial Master Files", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "description" : "Oliver heads up Montrium's Commercialization team and is a regular contributor to the Montrium blog. 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