Research Software Management
What is Research Software Mangement?
Research Software Management (RSM) is a structured and strategic apprach to handling the creation, utilisation and preservation of software in the research process. Research software plays a critical role across all research domains and throughout the entire research lifecycle. Effective management ensures that software reamins accessible, understandable, reusable,and sustainable over time.
Research software includes any code, scripts, tools, workflows, algorithms, applications, or software packages that are developed, adapted, or used to support research activities. It can range from small analysis scripts to complex software platforms and computational infrastructures. Research software is increasingly recognised as a key research output alongside publications and datasets.
Why Research Software Management Matters
RSM is the systematic process of organising, maintaining, documenting, licensing, and preserving software developed during research. It supports the create of clear plans for software development, use, maintenance, acessibility, and reuse.
A structured approach to managing research software provides several benefits:
- Improved efficency: Well-managed software makes it easier to locate, understand, maintain, and reuse code, reducing duplicated efforts.
- Enhanced collaboration: Clear documentation and standardised practices enable researchers from different teams and disciplines to work together effectively.
- ** Reduced risk**: Proper management helps prevent the loss of valuable software assests and research outputs over time.
- Recognition and credit: Publishing and documenting software allows researchers to revieve acknowledgement for their contributions.
- Reproducibility and transparency: Well-documented software supports verification and reproduction of research results.
- Open Science support: Properly managed software enhances accessibility, reuse, and scientific impact.
- ** FAIR and compliant research**: Good software management supports the FAIR Principles, research integrity, and funder requirements.
Further resources on research software
Further context on how research software fits within broader RDM practices is provided in the Research Data and Software Mangement Policy. Key terms regularly used in software management context and their definitions can be found in the Research Data and Software Management Terminology. For guidance on how to find and use existing softwares that may support your research, visit Finding Existing Software. Guidance on practical steps for sharing research software is provided in the Guide on Publishing FAIR Software and advice on licensing research software is available in the topic Software Licensing
Contact
Do you have questions about RSM, tools (e.g., Gitlab, RSD) or need advice? Please send an email to rdm@vu.nl.