Skip to main content
DISCLAIMER:  Overseer Limited gives no warranties, representation or guarantees, express or implied in relation to the quality, reliability, accuracy and/or fitness for any purpose of the article. Overseer Limited expressly disclaims and assumes no liability whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on this article.

COPYRIGHT: With the exception of user-supplied data, this Report is © 2018 Overseer Limited. All rights reserved. You may copy and distribute this Report in its entirety, as long as you do not mislead anyone as to its origin or implications, and provided you do not remove or alter the disclaimer above or this copyright notice.

2026 - Bruwer & Gower - From Science to Software: Developing a product governance approach for environmental models

Helpdesk
  • Updated

Highlights

  • Environmental models deployed as software at scale require governance across science, data, code, release management, user enablement, and security. This extends beyond core scientific rigour without replacing its essential relevance.
  • A practical governance framework can be organised around governance domains, explicit trade-offs, and records that support accountability, learning and improvement.
  • The Overseer case is presented as an illustrative account of how these ideas are being explored in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is not offered as evidence that the approach is complete or effective in every respect.
  • An important corollary is that stewardship funding must extend beyond scientific research publication to include software development, quality assurance, documentation, support, and ongoing governance.

Bruwer. M-J, Gower. J; From Science to Software: Developing a product governance approach for environmental models. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands 88: 311-317 (2026)

Related articles