Project Strategy Builder

Developing a comprehensive strategy for scientific projects involves a multi-faceted approach. From the initial stages of web design, development, and maintenance, to ensure a project’s digital presence is informative and user-friendly, to the detailed planning and execution of events that bring together key stakeholders, every aspect is carefully considered. The Project Strategy Builder focuses on creating a cohesive plan that incorporates the writing and maintenance of consortium agreements, optimizing communication channels, and ensuring that infrastructure supports the project’s evolving needs. With an emphasis on strategic foresight and meticulous organization, the Project Strategy Builder is an essential tool for any project looking to achieve its objectives efficiently and effectively.

As scientific research projects turn increasingly into development projects, funding bodies consider projects as business opportunities, where the research aims at a product that can be exploited commercially.

Scientists are often not prepared to consider exploitation strategies in their projects but nowadays, it is with this mindset that they must tackle the preparation of projects.

The following questions are meant to address the points that should be taken into account at the time of preparing a scientific project. This list of points is not exhaustive since all projects are different, but we hope that it will help you to clarify your approach leading to the writing a funding proposal.

Aswer the Questionnaire

Conversational Form (#3)

Your Name

Title

Affiliation

Section 1.

I. Project definition and development

1. Define the purpose of the project and the reason for developing that product (General objective and Specific objectives necessary to reach the general objective)

2. Define a vision (5-10 years) for the project and the product you want to achieve.

3. What are the triggers that motivate the development (prototype has reached maturity? a new technology is available that enables this development? a new demand has arisen?)

4. Identify the assets of the project and its impact (What are the needs of the users? Does your product match the needs of the users? What is(are) the unique feature(s) that the competitors do not have? What impact does the product have at the socio and economic level, locally and internationally?)

Section 2.

II. Market study

5. Know your competitors (Is there already a similar product on the market ? Time to create or revive partnerships outside the consortium)

6. What is the product target group? (will define the design of the product)

7. Estimate the Return on Investment

Section 3.

III. Funding sources

8. Assess the advantages/disadvantages of National, EU grant or international funding bodies

9. Choose the most appropriate funding calls (submission deadline, constraints on consortium composition, topic, etc)

Section 4.

IV. Is lobbying an option?

10. Programme committees

11. Advisory groups

12. National/European/International technology platforms

13. Public consultations

14. Letters of support/interest from future users

Section 5.

V. Building a strong multidisciplinary consortium

15. Should you be the coordinator? (evaluate the return on investment of your own time)

16. Gather trustable collaborators (balance scientific, technical, political contributions and gender)

Section 6.

VI. Tasks distribution and budget planning

17. Distribute the tasks amongst the partners

18. Propose a budget to each partner according to its contribution and needs, also maintaining a balance between all the partners of the consortium