The Business Case Help research funders and institutions make an informed decision regarding future investment in harmonisation of research information models Work by Viewforth Consulting will focus on:Viewforth Consulting economic (financial and non-financial) costs and benefits of research reporting harmonisation wider evidence for the potential broader national or ‘macro-level’ strategic benefits that could arise through the related improvements to knowledge about the UK public research base

1. The strategic landscape Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth Healthy research base a condition for innovation Public funding of research in £4.7B UK Research Partnership Investment Fund - £300M UK research base performance world class Universities drive growth – £3.4B worth of services to industry

1. The information landscape Insufficient data for economic analysis of impact on innovation system Complex research information reporting landscape Multiple stakeholders with different requirements Research information stored across multiple systems Varying maturity of research information systems Research reporting standard – CERIF Limited uptake in UK

2. Problem and opportunity StakeholderProblemOpportunity GovernmentPoor data on impact of policy Better data on: Impact of research funding initiatives Business – HE interactions Research Councils; Other funders Poor data; Resource intensive Better data on: Effectiveness of research funding Research landscape More efficient processing of data Funding Councils; HESA etc Poor dataBetter data on research performance and impact of HEIs; More useful KPIs InstitutionsResource intensive; Poor data Business intelligence; Better use of resources ResearchersTime consuming More efficient use of time; More time for research

Swot Analysis of Harmonisation Strengths Enables better quality, coverage and timeliness of research info More efficient use of time/resources Flexible sustainable open framework Opportunities Improve ROI for research Tracing research impact pathways Business intelligence for research councils, institutions, researchers, business Disruptive influence in vendor market UK can lead in research output, outcomes and impact analysis Weaknesses Benefits depend on sector buy-in Limited to research council funded research Investment required Change in practice required Threats No sector leadership on harmonisation Perceived lack of competitive advantage Small institutions may not be able to capitalise on opportunities Skills gap

3. Cost-benefits analysis Economic CBA based on existing data CBA Process: (1) Identification of inputs and outputs (2) Quantification of inputs and output (3) Pricing inputs and outputs (monetary units) Price required Is there a free market price? Apply shadow pricing techniques Economic efficiency price yes no Use market price costs = value of inputs = quantity of inputs x unit ‘price’ benefits = value of outputs = quantity of outputs x unit ‘price’

Harmonisation benefits - direct Improved research information (quality, coverage, timeliness) Business intelligence data Meet statutory, legal, ethical, contractual, regulatory needs Promotion & communication reuse Information resource Reduced administration time Interoperability Standardised, open sustainable model Value these benefits

Harmonisation benefits - indirect Improved accountability of research funding Identification of research opportunity Improve targeting of research funding Enable cross-sector analysis of research performance Enable cross-sector analysis of impact and gaps Simplification of future REFs Stimulates vendor market Narrative which describes how economic impact is generated

Harmonisation costs Initial implementation costs Software Implementation of new data models or mapping Training Maintenance Staff time Licences Additional costs to realise wider indirect benefits: New hardware Refactoring of legacy data Creation & maintenance of registries Provide indicative costs Identify only

4. Assumptions and risks Assumptions Better data will improve decision making Percentage uptake required for benefits to be realised Level of benefits accrued will depend on organisation purpose and size Realisation of economic benefits requires sizable uptake Realisation of institutional benefits more independent Coverage of harmonisation model sufficient in first instance

Risks RiskLikeli hood ImpactMitigation No uptake by RCs 44Business case; discussion with policy makers No leadership/ ownership of harmonisation 34Find organisation to lead/own Benefits not sufficiently understood 23Business case; communication Resistance from institutions 32Business case; use cases; leadership Negative impact for small institutions 31Investigate supporting small institutions to achieve positive impact