As research projects continue to branch out to create more diverse multidisciplinary teams, so does the administrative burden of managing the mountain of paperwork accompanying it. Studies suggest research teams and administrators spend nearly 44% of their time handling paperwork, from managing forms and applications to writing grant proposals.
Without the proper tools to facilitate these tasks, efficiency can take a hit, resulting in missed deadlines and time wasted correcting errors. Integrating connected technology into your research organization can make all the difference, increasing efficiency, enhancing collaboration, improving decision-making, and more.
Increased efficiency
Connected technology is developed around the concept of interoperability, which is the ability to integrate with existing systems to access and share data. This means less manual entry for research teams because once information is in the system, it is available to everyone.
With connected technology, there is no more dashing from office to office to get approvals and signatures, as administrative processes are automated and made more efficient through digital communications and approvals. Workflows also improve, as team members can now spend less time on repetitive manual tasks and get more done.
Additionally, connected systems can automate tasks more effectively, creating checklists and sending notifications to keep teams focused on moving the project timeline forward in multiple areas, including:
- Preparing proposals for sponsored projects
- Speeding up protocol reviews for health and safety
- Disclosing conflicts of interest for quick reviews
- Providing verification statements and signatures
- Verifying staff certifications and training
- Monitoring and responding to staff changes
A connected system can also be integrated with other monitoring and management systems to facilitate real-time data collection, further automating processes for accurate analysis and on-demand reporting.
Enhanced collaboration
Collaborative research results in many files being uploaded and downloaded regularly, which eventually becomes impossible to manage manually. A connected system can help research teams stay organized by keeping files in a centralized location, tracking changes, and managing an upload repository. With an organized, connected system, both coordination and collaboration naturally improve, as everyone has access to the same valid data and is accountable for any changes they make.
Moreover, connected systems with remote capabilities and multiple communication channels offer flexibility, making it easier for research teams to regroup as often as necessary, regardless of their geographical location. This keeps teams connected and communicative as they work through shared tasks.
A connected system also assists with project management, allowing administrators to delegate tasks more resourcefully and monitor the team’s progress more accurately. This functionality helps identify areas of concern and delay as well as manage disagreements swiftly and efficiently. These efforts can boost productivity and keep research teams focused on their work.
Improved outcomes and decision-making
One of the most challenging and time-consuming aspects of managing multidisciplinary research projects is making effective decisions to achieve the best outcomes. Administrators often must rely on outdated data that will never provide valid insights, resulting in miscommunication and wasted time.
Connected technology offers access to real-time data and metrics, enabling administrators to measure progress and give more valuable insights across many areas, including:
- Where each research team stands with each project
- How research teams are performing
- How resources are being used
- Where resource mismanagement is occurring
- Where initiatives are working efficiently
- Where problem areas are causing delays
Connected systems provide more in-tune predictive capabilities, leveraging centralized and up-to-date data to create accurate forecast models, which can assist in making more informed decisions for cost projections, long-term project tracking, and strategic planning.
Take your research efforts to the next level
From boosting productivity and collaboration to enhancing strategic planning and decision-making, connected technology offers research organizations many benefits. If you are looking to take your research efforts to the next level, now is the time to invest in connected technology.
