Institutionalizing Best Practices in Research Computing: A Framework and Case Study for Improving User Onboarding
2026-04-23 • Other Computer Science
Other Computer ScienceSoftware Engineering
AI summaryⓘ
The authors explain that new users of research computing centers often find it hard to get started because the tech and software are complicated. Even though there are guides and training materials, people still get confused. To fix this, the authors created a new system to make it easier for beginners to begin using these computing resources. They tested their system at Washington University and showed it helps improve the onboarding process.
research computinguser onboardinginfrastructuresoftware resourcestraining materialsempirical validationacademic institutionsresearch infrastructure services
Authors
Ayush Chaturvedi, Rob Pokorney, Elyn Fritz-Waters, Charlotte Rouse, Gary Bax, Daryl Spencer, Craig Pohl
Abstract
Research computing centers around the world struggle with onboarding new users. Subject matter experts, researchers, and principal investigators are often overwhelmed by the complex infrastructure and software offerings designed to support diverse research domains at large academic and national institutions. As a result, users frequently fall into confusion and complexity to access these resources, despite the availability of documentation, tutorials, interactive trainings and other similar resources. Through this work, we present a framework designed to improve new-user onboarding experience. We also present an empirical validation through its application within the Research Infrastructure Services at Washington University in St. Louis.