Digital transformation begins with asking the right questions
Many universities invest in research technology before determining whether their institution is ready to support it. Learn the organizational, operational and technical considerations that help leading institutions build a successful research information strategy.
Most research offices recognize the symptoms of disconnected research information:
Reporting takes longer than expected.
Research data lives across multiple systems.
Leadership asks strategic questions that require days of manual reconciliation before anyone can answer with confidence.
The common assumption is that a new platform will solve these problems.
In reality, technology is only one part of the equation. Successful institutions first establish the governance, infrastructure, and institutional alignment needed to turn research data into strategic intelligence.
This guide walks through the questions every university should consider before investing in a Research Information Management System, helping research leaders evaluate their current environment, identify potential gaps and make more informed technology decisions.
Whether you're exploring a RIMS for the first time or evaluating your current approach, this guide provides a practical framework for building a stronger foundation for research management. The checklist covers institutional readiness, operational maturity, IT considerations, and the strategic decisions that influence long-term success, while also examining the tradeoffs between building and buying a research information management system.
Download the Research Information Management Readiness guide
What you'll learn
Why disconnected research data is a strategic challenge, not simply an operational one.
The questions institutional leaders should answer before investing in a RIMS.
How to evaluate organizational, technical and governance readiness.
Key considerations when deciding whether to build or buy a research information management system.
The factors that contribute to long-term adoption and return on investment.
Complete the form to access the guide and learn how leading institutions evaluate their readiness for connected research information, stronger reporting and more informed strategic decision-making.