Development of performance measures for wide-ranging clinical research programs in diverse global settings

The Office of Planning and Operations Support (OPOS) in NIAID's Division of Clinical Research (DCR) is in the process of developing performance measures to provide data-driven progress reports for projects and employees engaged in the facilitation and administration of clinical research within the Division. The search for appropriate performance measures is no simple task given the eclectic role that DCR plays in facilitating clinical research both domestically and globally. This presentation will describe a multi-factorial picture of incremental research forming the foundation, development, validation and implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that reflect the work-product of DCR's seven branches. Fundamental to the research are identification of: (1) comparison measures, e.g., baseline performance data and leading industry/government benchmarks against which DCR's performance can be compared, (2) proposed data collection sources, methods, instruments and analysis, and (3) computer tools for assembling, tracking and sorting performance data. Objectives include refinement and pilot testing of the proposed performance metrics and goal-setting benchmarks to determine if they adequately reflect each branch's productivity, and the gleaning of information about contextual factors and intervening variables that may impact performance. Deployment of appropriate performance measures will enable quantifiable, objective assessment of DCR's clinical research enterprise. Data derived from the metrics will help the Division achieve higher productivity, efficient outcomes, and optimal use of resources.