Scaling Research Through Operating Model and Process Redesign
ScottMadden frequently assists organizations with research administration transformation. Contact us to learn how we can help support your various research growth and operational excellence goals.
At a Glance
Identified Strategic Support Capacity
Found 82% of research administration effort was dedicated to transactional activities, revealing opportunities to increase strategic support capacity
Workforce Optimization
Identified 5%–10% workforce optimization potential through future state operating model design
Created Roadmap
Delivered a prioritized road map with 90 process and technology enablement opportunities to support scalable research administration
Challenge
A large public research university needed to scale research excellence while absorbing budget pressure and preparing for future growth. The institution had ambitious research goals but relied heavily on manual effort and operational workarounds. ScottMadden was engaged to assess current-state operations and develop a scalable future-state operating model.
Process
- Conducted a work intelligence blueprint across approximately 200 analyzed positions, supported by more than 55 interviews and focus groups with leadership, staff, and faculty to identify pain points and scalability barriers
- Assessed research-supporting activities across grants management, finance, HR, IT, commercialization, facilities, communications, and administration to establish a data-driven operational baseline
- Identified key barriers to scalability, including misaligned roles, inefficient systems, and excessive transactional work
- Developed the future state operating model and redesigned 44 priority research processes
- Created practical implementation tools, including change management templates, communication guidance, stakeholder engagement materials, and interim process documentation
Result
- Found 82% of research administration effort was dedicated to functional or transactional activities, highlighting opportunities to shift capacity toward strategic support and long-term research growth initiatives
- Developed a future state operating model and staffing scenarios that identified 5%–10% workforce optimization potential while improving organizational alignment and service delivery
- Identified 90 process and technology enablement opportunities, establishing a prioritized road map for process, technology, and service delivery improvements
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We don’t solve problems with canned methodologies; we help you solve the right problem in the right way. Our experience ensures that the solution works for you.