Pipeline validation checklist
This checklist guides you through the validation process for nf-core pipelines based on the principles outlined in the overview documentation. Complete each section according to your institutional requirements and regulatory context.
This checklist serves as a comprehensive framework, though certain sections vary in detail by design. Some aspects, such as Computer Systems Validation (CSV), are deliberately kept concise as they fall outside the scope of the nf-core community and require institution-specific implementation tailored to individual organizational requirements and regulatory contexts.
Phase 1: Initial assessment
Preparation
Risk assessment
Phase 2: Gap analysis
Review nf-core metrics
Identify additional requirements
Phase 3: Validation execution
Computing environment
Functional validation
Integration testing
Data management
Quality control
Phase 4: Operational validation
Standard operating procedures
Personnel and training
Documentation
Phase 5: Ongoing maintenance
Change management
Quality monitoring
Community engagement
Additional considerations
Versioning and releases
Licensing and governance
Security
This checklist provides a framework based on nf-core’s validation approach. Adapt it to your specific regulatory requirements, institutional policies, and risk assessment outcomes. This is not necessarily complete or applies to all potential cases, but should serve as a go-to-resource that facilitates doing a pipeline validation at your respective institution and also facilitate finding appropriate lines of thought by regulatory authorities for example.