Buddenbohm, StefanEnke, HarryHofmann, MatthiasKlar, JochenNeuroth, HeikeSchwiegelshohn, UweMüller, PaulNeumair, BernhardReiser, HelmutRodosek, Gabi Dreo2017-07-262017-07-262014978-3-88579-625-1Virtual or Collaborative Research Environments are important pillars of modern research in many scientific disciplines. Therefore, the development and particularly the sustained operation of these environments has become an important challenge in the area of modern research infrastructures. In order to support communities in dealing with this challenge including design and evaluation, we have developed a life cycle model for Collaborative Research Environments. Based on this life cycle model, we identify common pitfalls and suggest a generic catalog of criteria to be used by developers, operators, and funding agencies. To consider the heterogeneity of Collaborative Research Environments, additional discipline specific criteria can be incorporated.enText/Conference Paper1617-5468