NVivo is software designed to enable thematic analysis of qualitative and mixed methods research projects but also offers additional management options.  You can use NVivo to: 

• Code your sources, e.g. interview files 
• Analyse your literature review sources 
• Organise your project files 
• Visualize your data 
• Generate memos of your reflections and findings 
• Export extracts directly into your MS Word document(s). 

[Link to/embed ? 1min promotional video - https://youtu.be/BHOEQQdEoiQ ]

Like other apps and products, NVivo is a tool which some people will find extremely beneficial while others find it irritating and frustrating. You can code just as easily manually, as with using NVivo. However, NVivo offers additional functionality, e.g. queries, which are harder to replicate manually. 

Moncada's (2025) analysis of using of NVivo and Excel for coding purposes and Kriukow's (2021) 6-minute video on using software for qualitative data analysis may help you decide on your approach.

References:

Kriukow, J. (2021) What to do with the data you have gathered: using software for qda - is it worth it and which one to use?   Available at: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529624571 (on the Sage Research Methods resource - UWS login required)

Moncada, M. (2025) 'Should we use NVivo or Excel for qualitative data analysis?', Bulletin of Sociological Methodology/Bulletin de Méthodologie Sociologique, 165-166(1-2), pp.186-211. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/07591063251317084