Business case preparation 1.Preparing the business case – Problem & proposed solution – Uncertainties & unknowns 2.Context – Strategic context, information system context, stakeholders 3.The options 4.Benefits analysis of harmonisation approach 5.Assumptions and risks relating to harmonisation 6.Conclusions

1. Overview: Problem & solution Help research funders and institutions make an informed decision regarding future investment in harmonisation of research information models Research outputs inaccessible Poor quality research reporting data Research reporting inefficient More accessible Better quality Improved efficiency harmonisation of research information models

2. Context: Strategic landscape Healthy research base a condition for innovation Gov’s Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth Contributes to economic growth & societal wellbeing -> Public funding of research ( £4.2B) UK research base performance world class But other countries out perform UK on innovation -> Maximising knowledge extracted & diffused from research base is high priority for innovation policy

2. Context: Strategic landscape Drive to ensure maximum ROI in publically funded research Reviews of efficiency and effectiveness: need for better research management data in terms of inputs to the research process RCUK ‘remit’ as manager of the public funding of research

2. Context: Information landscape Insufficient data for analysis of impact on innovation Multiple stakeholders with different requirements RCs, institutions, government, business, searchers, Research information stored across multiple systems Varying maturity of research information systems Research reporting standard – CERIF Limited uptake in UK -> Complex, non-standardised research information reporting landscape

2: Context: Stakeholder analysis Stakeholder InterestInfluence Research Beneficiaries Society(High) LowLow Government(High) LowHigh Research Funders RCUK(High) MediumHigh Individual research councils (High) MediumMedium Other funders/agencies (High) MediumLow/medium Research organisations & individuals Institutions(Medium) MediumMedium Researchers(Medium) LowLow OthersVendors(Medium) MediumLow Interest = interest in harmonisation of research reporting (…) = interest in research reporting in general)

3. The options Exchange and manage research information across UK HE through: A - Shared service for managing research information across UK HE Centrally managed Organisations need to subscribe B - Harmonised approach Use common standard and dictionaries Organisations can choose scale of implementation Or: C: As is

3. The options Exchange and manage research information across UK HE through: A - Shared service for managing research information across UK HE Centrally managed Organisations need to subscribe B - Harmonised approach Use common standard and dictionaries Organisations can choose scale of implementation Or: C: As is

4. CBA: RCUK/RCs - Benefits Direct benefits Improved research information (quality, coverage, timeliness) Reduced administration time Enables: Efficiencies Compliance Business intelligence Reuse (promotional, research/business source) Indirect benefits Improved accountability of research funding Improve targeting of research funding Enable cross-sector analysis of research performance Enable cross-sector analysis of impact and gaps PriceImpact narrative

4. CBA: RCUK/RC - Benefit use cases Grant management Research Fish? ROS? GtR? Cross-sector analysis?

4. RCUK/RC Indirect Benefits

4. CBA: RCUK/RCs – Costs Core Implementation of new data models or mapping Training Maintenance Staff time Licences Harmonisation will affect a range of systems To realise wider benefits New hardware Refactoring of legacy data Creation & maintenance of registries

4. CBA: RC - Costs May vary with number of information models in use (Based on CERIF Business Case) ComponentDetailsAnnual cost (over 10 year) Software Maintenance N/A Implementation of new data models or mapping Varies with complexity £13,000 + Training½ day per user Staff time?? LicencesIncluded in CREIF licence (free) £0

4. CBA – Institutions - Benefits Direct benefits Improved research information (quality, coverage, timeliness) Reduced administration time Enables Efficiencies Compliance Business intelligence Reuse (promotional, research/business source) Indirect benefits Identification of research opportunity Improve targeting of research funding Improve knowledge transfer Attract increased commercial partnership Simplification of future REFs PriceImpact narrative

4. CBA: Institutions - Benefit use cases Use caseDetailsAnnual saving Grant application25% less effort £175,000 REF30% less effort £ 15,000 Research outcomes reporting ~1.25% per researcher p.a. ~£500,000 Promotion & communication ? ? Business intelligence ? ? ComplianceSaving on fines? ? Total> £690,000 Based on sector average of grants (76), researchers (264) per institution (Based on CERIF Business Case)

4. CBA: Institutions - Costs Core Software Implementation of new data models or mapping Training Maintenance Staff time Licences Indicative prices Identify only To realise wider benefits New hardware Refactoring of legacy data Creation & maintenance of registries

4. CBA: Institutions - Costs ComponentDetailsAnnual cost (over 10 year) Software (inc CERIF licence) Maintenance £42,000 - £83,500 15% (£10,450 – £20,880 ) Implementation of new data models or mapping £13,000 + Training½ day per user Staff time?? LicencesIncluded in CREIF licence (free) £0

4. CBA – Society - Benefits Indirect benefits Increased ROI in research funding Increased diffusion of research findings Better understanding of how research impact is generated Stimulation of innovation Stimulates vendor market

5. Assumptions and risks Assumptions Better data will improve decision making Feasibility depends on percentage uptake Realisation of economic benefits requires sizable uptake Realisation of institutional benefits more independent Level of benefits accrued will depend on organisation purpose and size Coverage of harmonisation model sufficient in first instance

RiskLikeli hood ImpactMitigation No uptake by RCs44Business 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

6. Conclusions Benefits Could lead to +£30M in economic benefits for RCs & institutions Wider economic impact business/society, RCs, institutions, researchers and others involved with research Cost: Very depending on organisation and approach adopted ~£13,000 + per organisation Risks Significant -> Adoption programme Sector leadership Benefits communication Support network Economic valuation and impact

7. Business Case Discussion 1.Questions relating stakeholder analysis, costs & benefits 2.How could the case be strengthened? 3.Are there other significant risks? If so how can they be addressed? 4.Is an adoption programme a useful way forward? If so how can this be achieved?