Software as part of the solution

Some people often praise software as a cure-all for the problems a department might encounter. However, at The Optimum Department, we have a different approach and mindset. In the past year, commercially available low-code or no-code technology has caught up, enabling departments to address problems more cost-effectively and flexibly, meeting their needs and requirements better. Relying on a comprehensive enterprise solution can mean becoming tied to design elements that a provider deems important but may not be crucial to your department and its operations.

We refer to software as part of the solution when we integrate software applications into larger projects. We firmly believe that software plays a critical role in solving problems, streamlining processes, and achieving desired outcomes. However, it's not the ultimate solution. While some aspects of research administration, such as effort management and financial projections, benefit from customized software, many operational processes don't require specialized and integrated software. For instance, departments can enhance training, knowledge transfer, approvals, internal department pre-award proposal development, and other core processes to make work more transparent and collaborative without the need for specialized software.

That being said, investing in software that genuinely simplifies and clarifies tasks and processes can add significant value to your department. A key component of our business strategy is developing software for research administrators. Our flagship offering, called Effort and Compensation Pro, was designed with the following principles in mind:

1. Low-cost, high value: Our software is available for an affordable annual license fee and includes on-demand onboarding and training. All enhancements, improvements, and upgrades are implemented at no additional cost. We focus on what will help departments work faster and more compliantly, without unnecessary technology constraints.

2. Simplicity: We prioritize a user-friendly interface that is easy to understand and use. We believe in keeping things simple and efficient by eliminating unnecessary complexity and features. We value staff time and aim to get users up and running with the software as quickly as possible.

3. Collaboration: Our software is designed to emphasize collaboration and accountability. We carefully consider who holds primary information and how to ensure everyone is on the same page, addressing knowledge gaps related to processes or terminology.

4. Autonomy and Trust: Our design encourages user autonomy and trust. Teams and users have the freedom to manage projects and tasks without rigid workflows or software-imposed constraints.

In summary, software as part of the solution highlights the role software applications play in solving problems, streamlining processes, and achieving desired outcomes in research administration. Software integration and development can deliver value by creating effective and straightforward solutions that harness the power of technology. However, we must always remember to strike the right balance between investing in people, possibly even more than technology.