Purpose

The ready4 software framework provides tools to help implement computational health economic models that are transparent, reusable and updatable (TRU).

Transparent

Model code and data are publicly available in online code repositories and data collections. Algorithms are documented and transparently and regularly tested. Model development occurs in the open and invites community participation, with each individual’s contribution publicly identifiable. Analyses are reproducible and replicable.

Reusable

Model modules and datasets originally developed in one modelling project can be independently reused in other projects. As they share a common framework, model modules can be combined in other models and analyses to address multiple topics. Code implementation paradigms facilitate the transfer of model modules for use in other decision contexts.

Updatable

Model code, data and analyses are versioned, with an ongoing program of making new and updated releases. Software is maintained, with opportunities for users and contributors to flag issues, request features and supply code contributions.

The criteria we use for assessing TRU attributes of computational models are described in more detail in this preprint, with a worked example of the application of these criteria provided in this article from PharmacoEconomics.