Project Approach: Phase 3
Phase 3: Implementation
Phase 3: Implementation phase consists of taking immediate action on key priorities, such as issuing a request for proposal (RFQ)to replace the current research administration system (eRA), optimizing the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS), and streamlining contracting.
The governance structure provides a framework for our implementation phase and consists of an Executive Steering Committee, Working Groups, Dean’s Councils, and Project Support, as listed below:
Executive Steering Committee (ESC):
The Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose Executive Steering Committee (ESC), under the leadership of the President, focuses on identified strategic research initiatives and their implementation and addresses opportunities and challenges that may arise during the implementation process. Below are the members of the ESC:
- Ray L. Watts -President (Chair)
- Chris Brown- Vice President for Research (Vice Chair)
- Anupam Agarwal- Senior Vice President and Dean of School of Medicine
- Jim Bakken- Chief Communication Officer
- Tom Brannan- Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives
- Dawn Bulgarella- Chief Executive Officer of the UAB Health System
- Brian Burnett- Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Josh Carpenter- President of Southern Research
- Curt Carver- Vice President and Chief Information Officer
- John Daniel- Deputy General Counsel & Chief University Counsel
- Janet Woodruff-Borden- Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Senior
The ESC is supported by six Working Groups, Dean’s Councils, and the Project Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Working Groups:
The ESC is supported by six Working Groups. Working Groups consist of stakeholders with a vested interest and expertise in each infrastructure opportunity area (also referred to as ‘Enablers’ in the final report). Each Working Group is led by Co-Chairs and includes members-at-large. In general, Working Groups serve in an advisory capacity to the ESC and help implement recommendations around infrastructure opportunities that are essential to support research growth.
Working Groups may create sub-groups as needed to ensure the effective implementation of recommendations within the opportunity areas that are larger in scope.
WG1: Optimize Research Related Processes:
WG 2: Research Technology
WG 3: Enhance Research Data Management & Structure
WG 4: Employment Destination
WG 5: Augment and Elevate the Research Administration Workforce
WG 6: Optimize & Enhance Facilities
Dean’s Councils:
The ESC is also supported by the Dean’s Councils, who will serve in an advisory capacity to the ESC and work on measurable action plans to accomplish identified goals and objectives relevant to their schools/college/units.
Project Support:
The Project Director of Strategic Initiatives- Chandni Khadka within the Office of the President assists the Chair and Vice Chair of ESC to finalize the ESC meeting agendas, records and distributes ESC meeting minutes; reviews, discusses, and communicates any necessary updates to projects and action plans submitted by the Working Groups and Dean’s Councils; attends Working Groups Chairs and Deans Council’s meetings as needed; track progress on key performance metrics and/or deliverables submitted by the Working Group Chairs and Deans/Research Associate Deans; collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer to ensure timely communication of the progress to campus stakeholders; works with the Change Management team to provide resources on change management and facilitate appropriate trainings to the managers and leaders as needed.
The progress reports on key performance indicators will be shared throughout the implementation phase with the campus stakeholders.
