Strategy and Project Management

in the Academic Setting

What best practices from

industry can be applied within
the academic setting?
Industry and Academia Have Differing
Goals and Metrics of Success
Industry focuses on translation and
products - scientists pursue tangible
entities (validated targets, novel molecules,
biomarker assays)
Measure of success : $$$
Academia focus basic research knowledge
creation though basic research and
dissemination of knowledge
Measure of success : Tenure

Principles of effectiveness in managing project

progression apply equally in both settings project
Science is a Team Sport in Industry

Many disciplines and functions are need to

move projects forward (eg. Chemists,
biologists, toxicologist, pharmacologists,
engineers, manufacturers, lawyers, marketers)
Highly effective use of multiple resources
serves the purpose of translation
In contrast there are incentives (getting
tenure) for academics to lean towards
individual research in order to substantiate
significant impact
 A Multidisciplinary Approach Can Be
Dilutive to Your Perceived Impact

Consider how to bring additional expertise to your project

(collaborators, consultants, contractors) especially If you are
Principles of Project Management
Cornerstones of
Phases of Project Effective Project
Management Management

Initiation Milestone-based

Planning

Execution Accountability

Monitoring

Closing Managing Risk

Initiation & Planning of Projects

Assemble team (think about external

experts!)
Identify goals, establish
milestones/aims
Create a project plan (simple or
detailed)
Specific project activities & tasks
Timing of activities
Interdependencies among work streams
Cost
 Detailed Project Plan and Timeline:
Microscoft Gantt Chart is an Industry
Standard
Simplified Project Plan and Timeline Modeled After Gantt
Chart (NIH)
 High Level Project Plan and Timeline
Prototype
Pacemaker
Design and
Manufactur
e
Rabbit
implant
Build device with Fetal sheep model study
technique
internal charging coil with optimized device
piloted Go/
(Coulter) (without recharging)
Electrical (Coulter) No Go
output
tested

Quality System
8 Development
HUD
Designation
Obtained Funding Reports
Coulter Project Activities + oral + oral

<Q2 12 Q3 12 Q4 12 Q1 13 Q2 13 Q4 13 Q1 14
Design and fabrication of external recharging Fetal sheep studies
NIH R01
system incorporating external
Application (CTSI Funding) recharging system
(R01)

Publication
AHA
Meeting
Patents Press
Prosecuted in US Release
and Canada &
new IP under conversion
 Accountability
Regularly scheduled team meetings
Create agendas for team meetings and
follow them
Team meeting minutes with ACTION
ITEMS assigned to team members
Review ACTION ITEMS at next team
meeting to ensure they have been
completed
Careful tracking of documentation/data
 Managing Risks
Identify risks and have
some form of
mitigation for these
risks
Supplement your
team with
complementary skill
sets
Formulate endpoints
and pivot if necessary

Build optionality into your project plans and make

adjustments to
 Some Important Issues for Academic
Laboratories You Need to Think About
Research data retention
Research data organization and storage
Industry utilizes electronic laboratory notebooks and has
extensive infrastructure to support capturing work
product, data, and inventions

Problem: data walking out Solution: centralized data

the door management
 Data Management Tools
Central Desktop
Electronic Filing System for
Documents & Data
Functionality for Tracking Project
Plans & Timelines
Reporting and Monitoring
A Collaboration Tool
Central Desktop Dashboard
 Best Practices from Industry that Can Be
Leveraged by Academia in Managing Your Projects

Defined milestones
Defined project needs / resources
Mapping of timelines
Team building with complementary team skills
Data management and storage

Principles of effectiveness in managing project

progression should apply equally in both settings project