R&D Informatics – 3 Strategies for 2012

R&D INFORMATICS: READINESS CHECKLIST

Based on our analysis of the survey findings and the input of dozens of leading R&D organizations that we work with at IDBS, we’d like to propose the following practical strategies to help you tackle R&D Informatics in 2012.

Step 1: Reduce Complexity:

• Legacy system de-cluttering – can you identify systems you don’t want to interact with anymore?
• Explore where you can use flexible, multi-purpose, multi-domain systems. Take steps to future proof your systems for inevitable business change
• Don’t think that removing a system removes capability, it may enable implementation of better processes
• Don’t accept “we can’t do that, the system won’t let us”

Step 2: Improve Collaboration:

• Think data, not documents – all data (yes, even raw data) should be easily accessible in real time, accessed controlled, searchable and reportable
• Who are your partners in the ecosystem? Consider who are the consumers and contributors of your data. Where do you fit? Can they see your data?
• Maximize online access to data – employees expect to be able to collaborate as easily with their work systems as they do with their social media tools. A reliance on summary level information only allows superficial collaboration
• Don’t use different systems for internal and external collaboration – you’re just creating more silos

Step 3: Maximize Capture of IP & Innovation:

• Explore how IP capture can be automated from existing data capture process – can you make it an inherent element of every stage of research, so that it is not an additional activity?
• Where are the opportunities to harvest IP from your existing processes? Don’t create a new IP capture activity – this simply makes more work for the scientists
• What are the barriers to current IP capture?
• Can you share your innovative processes with others?
• Don’t think it’s someone else’s problem – it is the responsibility of everyone to capture and share their innovations

Discover more by listening to our ondemand webinar.

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN OF ATTACK FOR 2012? 

Let me know your thoughts on these approaches and your own strategies for addressing R&D Informatics in 2012.