By Diane Francisco, Senior Director, Operational Excellence, Global Clinical Operations
In a 2023 quantitative survey from Industry Standard Research (ISR) of 239 Phase II/III pharma and biotech outsourcers “Operational excellence” ranked number two out of 24 categories, when asked “What were the top reasons for choosing to work with a CRO” (ISR Phase II/III CRO Benchmarking survey, 2023).
Achieving operational excellence is paramount in-order-to meet and exceed the evolving demands of biotech clients. As the industry accelerates, the need for efficient, streamlined processes has never been more critical.
Operational Excellence is one of Allucent’s core company values. It is our approach to business management that emphasizes continuous improvement across all aspects of the business and within all business processes, by creating a culture where management and employees are invested in business outcomes and empowered to implement change.
What is operational excellence?
The key components and strategies that contribute to operational excellence at Allucent that are tailored to enhance services for our biotech clients are:
A Tailored Partnership Approach
Cultivating a collaborative and strategic partnership with clients is foundational. Understanding their unique goals, timelines, and regulatory environments allows for tailored solutions and a proactive approach to potential challenges. Understanding and analyzing customer journey maps offers teams the opportunity to prioritize delivery to customers rather than solely focusing on it.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Siloed departments impede progress. Collaborating cross-functionally promotes a holistic view of the clinical trial process which enhances efficiency, reduces errors, and accelerates timelines. End to end process and value stream mapping, useful Lean Six Sigma tools, enable teams to operate seamlessly and efficiently.
Adaptive Project Management
Utilizing adaptive project management methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma enables CROs to respond effectively to unforeseen challenges and changes in study parameters ensuring flexibility without compromising quality.
Technology Integration
Embracing cutting-edge technologies and data analytics are opportunities to achieving operational excellence. These tools enable automation reducing manual effort, glean valuable insights from vast datasets, streamline processes, and make informed decisions to optimize trial execution and outcomes.
Quality Management Systems (QMS)
Implementing a robust QMS ensures adherence to industry standards, compliance with regulatory requirements, and consistently high-quality deliverables. A proactive approach to risk management and continuous improvement methodologies contributes to a culture of excellence.
Employee Development
A CRO’s people are its most valuable asset. Continuous training and professional development programs ensure staff are up-to-date with industry trends, regulatory changes, and new technologies, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability, as well as promoting staff retention and project team consistency.
Patient-Centric Approach
Every patient and every day matters in clinical development so prioritizing the patient experience is pivotal. A focus on patient-centricity enhances recruitment, retention, and overall trial success. Employing technologies that improve patient engagement and adherence contribute to the overall success of the trial.
Metrics-Driven Performance
Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics provides a quantitative measure of operational effectiveness and efficiency. Regular monitoring and analysis of these metrics allow us to proactively mitigate possible delivery failures, identify areas for improvement, make informed decisions, and demonstrate transparency to clients.
To successfully deliver operational excellence we need to understand and map our client’s journey. We need to ensure that it is not just what we deliver but how we deliver. The pursuit of operational excellence signifies a commitment to advancing clinical research by fostering collaboration, embracing technology, prioritizing quality, and remaining patient-centric.
At Allucent we embrace the culture of excellence in everything we do when partnering with biotechs on their journey to translate their innovations into impactful therapies that transform lives.