Systems & Tools
Code: INFRA-PROV
The systems, tools and infrastructure that underpin research practice. This includes provisioning access, procuring software and hardware, ensuring secure storage, standardising templates, integrating tools into organisational systems, enabling automation and managing the tool lifecycle.
INFRA-PROV 1.0.0 Systems & Tools Infrastructure
The foundational systems and access required before research begins, including environment setup, tool provisioning, and baseline capability support.
INFRA-PROV 1.1.0 Tool Access & Readiness
INFRA-PROV 1.1.1
Ensure Tool Access Before Starting
Ensure access to tools for recruitment, scheduling, consent, transcription, analysis and secure storage.
- tool onboarding documentation
- clear ownership for each tool
- monitored service-status and support routes
- toolkit baselines for each research maturity level
INFRA-PROV 1.1.2
Environment Provisioning (Physical & Digital)
Provision required physical and digital environments.
- research labs, observation rooms and usability spaces
- secure laptops, microphones and recording equipment
- remote testing tools with encryption
- assistive technologies for accessibility needs
INFRA-PROV 2.0.0 Procurement, Evaluation & Licensing
Ensuring research tools meet organisational, financial and legal requirements.
INFRA-PROV 2.1.0 Procurement Rules & Evaluation
INFRA-PROV 2.1.1
Procurement & Licensing Requirement
Any tool handling research data must meet procurement, licensing, information security and legal standards.
INFRA-PROV 2.1.2
Tool Evaluation Guidance
Evaluate tools using criteria:
- data protection compliance
- service accessibility
- cost effectiveness
- exportability & interoperability
- vendor security posture
INFRA-PROV 3.0.0 Templates & Standardised Artefacts
INFRA-PROV 3.1.0 Template Library
INFRA-PROV 3.1.1
Standard Template Library
Maintain a version-controlled template library including:
- research plans
- risk logs & non-conformance reports
- consent forms
- fieldnote sheets
- analysis frameworks
- playback decks
INFRA-PROV 4.0.0 Access, Security & Permissions
INFRA-PROV 4.1.0 Security Requirements
INFRA-PROV 4.1.1
Access Control & Security Requirement
Tools must enforce:
- RBAC (role-based access control)
- logging & audit trails
- end-to-end encryption
- secure credential management
INFRA-PROV 5.0.0 Tool Integration & Automation
INFRA-PROV 5.1.0 Integration & Workflow Design
INFRA-PROV 5.1.1
Integrating Research Systems
Integrations should reduce duplication, errors and manual effort.
- recruitment → scheduling
- consent → secure storage
- repository → analytics tools
- participant CRM → incentives systems
INFRA-PROV 5.1.2
Automation Opportunities
Support automation patterns including:
- automated consent records
- triggered incentive payments
- automatic transcription routing
- retention-expiry alerts
INFRA-PROV 6.0.0 Maintenance, Support & Lifecycle Management
INFRA-PROV 6.1.0 Lifecycle Planning
INFRA-PROV 6.1.1
Lifecycle Management Guidance
Each tool must have a documented lifecycle, including:
- ownership
- acquisition → review → deprecation phases
- scheduled maintenance
- exit / deletion plans
INFRA-PROV 7.0.0 Non-Conformance, Incident Reporting & Risk
INFRA-PROV 7.1.0 Incident Management
INFRA-PROV 7.1.1
Incident Logging Requirement
All non-conformances must be logged with:
- date and time
- description
- severity & impact
- mitigation & lessons learned
Glossary & Definitions
- Tool Lifecycle
- The stages a research tool moves through, from procurement to decommissioning.
- RBAC
- Role-based access control ensuring only authorised staff can view or modify data.
- Integration Workflow
- A defined pattern that connects two or more research tools or systems.
- Non-Conformance
- Any deviation from expected standards, behaviours or thresholds.
Templates & Artefacts
Change History
| Version | Date | Summary of Changes | Author / Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2-draft | 2025-12-11 | Restructured using A1 model; added integration, automation, lifecycle and risk sections. | ResearchOps Governance Team |