The Need for Change

Research projects are fundamental to scientific advancement, ranging from individual theses to large-scale international collaborations. The thing is, many of the procedures and methods in use date from an era unlike our own.

Traditional methods have been useful for many years. However, they can sometimes be costly, time-consuming, and hinder quick iteration. Agile principles (originally from the software industry) are gaining traction in scientific Research & Development (R&D), leading to increased productivity and efficiency.

Effective project management is essential for maximizing the impact of research, yet it is often undervalued in academia.

Traditional Scientific Approach and Divergence

Agile methodology has revolutionized various industries, but science-driven R&D departments have been slower to adopt it.

To this day, many use a traditional linear process, with stages progressing sequentially.

This classical scientific method often taught in schools and universities involves a unidirectional process, whereas actual scientific practice may involve numerous pilot studies and iterative experimentation.

Although proved useful in some scenarios, the Scientific Method has been questioned before. For example in “Against Method: Outline of an Anarchistic Theory of Knowledge”, the provocative book by Paul Feyerabend, philosopher of science.

“Events and developments, such as … the Copernican Revolution, … occurred only because some thinkers either decided not to be bound by certain “obvious” methodological rules or because they unwittingly broke them.” — Paul K. Feyerabend

Narrowly defined organizational units can lose team coordination. People are sometimes lost in silos associated with their discipline rather than a common objective, leading to reduced productivity.

Rapid iterative loops of pilot experiments resemble agile development, helping product development and breakthroughs.

Cost and Productivity Issues

Scientists working in R&D often face the same obstacle: research presents high expenses due to exploring avenues that may not yield results. This can be seen in pharma, agriculture, and many industries alike, adding costs to the products that are then brought to market.

Average out-of-pocket expenses for each newly approved drug in the pharmaceutical industry are around $1.4 billion. Also, we have seen a decline in overall research productivity in the U.S. in recent years.

However, there is a growing recognition that this doesn’t have to be so, mainly by focusing on the importance of project management in scientific endeavors, as evidenced by many novel initiatives that try to diminish costs and augment productivity.

Agile Science: A Paradigm Shift

Agile Science presents a practical approach to practicing and reporting scientific discoveries, aiming to enhance discovery while increasing efficiency through practice. It emphasizes rapid experimentation and the constant possibility of pivoting toward unexpected directions.

This framework could be instrumental in boosting scientific discovery, particularly in settings where such practices are not already established.

Agile science retains its development counterpart characteristics. It is:

1. People-centered.

2. Success-oriented.

3. Efficiently rigorous.

4. Tackles sociotechnical problems.

But what does this mean in concrete terms?

Agile Values

People-Centered Approach

Emphasizes the importance of human collaboration and interaction in problem-solving.

Prioritizes the well-being and engagement of individuals involved in the scientific process.

Success-Oriented Philosophy

Focuses on achieving tangible outcomes and measurable progress.

Values adaptability and responsiveness to changing circumstances.

Efficient Rigor

Balances thoroughness and discipline with flexibility and efficiency.

Promotes rigorous scientific methods while minimizing unnecessary bureaucracy and delays.

Application to Sociotechnical Problems

We have been able to solve hundreds of problems since the scientific revolution. Although technical progress has been exponential, we still have some difficult topics to solve. These complex problems, those that require creativity, interdisciplinarity, and rigorousness, are sometimes difficult to cover with a “one size fits all” method.

“Given any rule, however “fundamental” or “necessary” for science, there are always circumstances when it is advisable not only to ignore the rule but to adopt its opposite.” — Paul K. Feyerabend

In this sense, Agile Science is suitable for addressing challenging issues that involve both technical and social dimensions. It enables interdisciplinary collaboration and integration of diverse perspectives, a much-needed feature in today’s demanding reality.

Strategies for Agile Adoption

Anticipate skepticism. Agile went through a lot. Like all fashionable methods, some manage to use it effectively, and some do not. It is not about putting a new stamp on old processes, but about renewing the way we do things.

When discussing with a team to adopt these strategies, emphasize the rationale for change, such as increased focus on the goal, and adjusting to the specific needs of R&D teams.

Propose to organize teams around cross-functional units to drive decision-making and independence. Increased efficiency is a product of agile methodologies that streamline the way we reach our targets.

What methods can I use to get started?

Companies and research teams are now exploring the application of modern project management techniques, such as:

Design thinking

Project canvas

Lean startup

Agile

Scrum

Kanban

Each methodology offers unique benefits, from enhancing creativity to improving workflow management. Discussing each in detail would require its article, so we’ll have to leave that for another time.

In any case, adapting these tools to the specific needs of research projects can significantly improve scientific efforts, favoring collaboration and reducing the time and cognitive load required from collaborators. As always, the goal is to avoid overwhelm.

Project Management in Science

Projects are the basis of scientific research and require effective management for success. Good project management ensures high impact and demonstrates efficient use of resources.

But there are some challenges.

Project management is often considered a “soft skill” and not prioritized in scientific training. Because of this, there is a need for a cultural shift to recognize project management as essential in science.

Each methodology mentioned before, combined with project management, offers unique benefits, such as enhancing creativity, planning projects effectively, and managing workflow. It is not necessary to use all of them or follow them to the letter. Rules and procedures should never get in the way of people’s work.

Without sacrificing personal needs or over-imposing oneself, adaptation of these tools to scientific research tasks can improve daily and long-term results.

In this sense, project management is essential for turning scientific ideas into solutions. Innovation needs to be managed and supported for impactful scientific research and tailoring methodologies to specific project needs is crucial for success in scientific endeavors.

To summarize, Agile is about the mindset not about the ceremonies.

At Stämm, we took the agile manifesto and embraced it.

We prioritize individuals and their interactions while seeking to collaborate with our partners. In addition, our teams know that they must be willing to respond to change time and time again in the shifting landscape that is science and technology.

Finally, producing working science is our priority, making biomanufacturing easy, scalable, and repeatable.