Mapping the research software sustainability space

TL;DR

This paper proposes a formalized graph-based model to map and classify research software sustainability efforts, aiming to identify gaps, track progress, and coordinate future initiatives in the field.

Contribution

It introduces a structured, formalized approach to map research software sustainability activities using a directed graph model, enhancing coordination and planning.

Findings

Enhanced schematic of activities in research software sustainability

Formalized model facilitates gap analysis and tracking

Supports planning of future sustainability efforts

Abstract

A growing number of largely uncoordinated initiatives focus on research software sustainability. A comprehensive mapping of the research software sustainability space can help identify gaps in their efforts, track results, and avoid duplication of work. To this end, this paper suggests enhancing an existing schematic of activities in research software sustainability, and formalizing it in a directed graph model. Such a model can be further used to define a classification schema which, applied to research results in the field, can drive the identification of past activities and the planning of future efforts.