Getting the Clinical Data Band Together: Evolving Biometrics to Meet the Demands of Modern Trials

Data is the critical asset of life sciences, and how that data is managed – from acquisition to insight – plays an instrumental role in clinical development success. Increasing data proliferation, a drive towards patient-centricity, decentralization, and advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are catalyzing a new clinical data vision for modern clinical trials which transforms clinical data management towards a clinical data science framework.

Clinical data science not only considers the data itself, but also risk, and the journey necessary to consistently produce high quality data. In managing the process of clinical data transformation, leaders must address all aspects of the data cycle, including skills, workflow efficiencies, available technologies, and necessary partnerships to ensure all bases are covered.

At our Engage conference in 2023, I described my personal passion for music and how the transformation of our Biometrics Services function from a traditional clinical trial data management model to a more strategic clinical data science mindset reflect the elements involved in bringing a musical performance to life, requiring coordination, creativity, and vision.

 In this short blog, I will explore how the key elements of a compelling musical performance reflect many of the critical components needed to lead teams through transformation.

Assemble the Band

Effective leaders set the stage for success by, first, assembling the right team. This is like building a group of talented musicians, each with their own critical part to play, and all understanding what it takes to come together to achieve a brilliant performance. For example, to drive clinical data transformation, the leader needs to bring together a ‘band’ that includes traditional and newer roles and skills to underpin a clinical data science framework. Their roles closely intersect and collaborate to drive the necessary change.

Music and lyrics

Music and lyrics lay out the framework for the overall performance and document the creative vision of the composer. Similarly, to succeed in transformation, as leaders, we must clearly lay down our vision for the future, after assessing existing processes, technologies, and skill sets to identify gaps and opportunities based on the organization’s needs.

Setting the tempo

In the same way as band leaders or conductors, leaders set the tone for the pace and rhythm of progress. While a musical director might adjust the tempo to accommodate the complexity of a piece or the skill level of the performers, as clinical data leaders we can allow for incremental adoption and adjustment of data transformation strategies based on evolving needs and feedback.

Mix up the set

In forging a new path, we must balance innovation and tradition in clinical data transformation by integrating novel approaches together with the aspects we want to retain. Bands often include audience favorites alongside new work. In a similar vein, leading through clinical data transformation means incorporating novel technologies and methodologies alongside tried and tested strategies.

Lay down the tracks

Just as recording artists, writers, and producers work together to create a polished final track, achieving the target state in data transformation requires significant collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

Leaders must know how to lay out their vision, assemble the team, and set the tempo of change to realize successful transformation outcomes. The rewards of success in clinical data transformation are high, including positive impacts not only on productivity measures such as decreased cycle times and increased efficiency, but also employee retention and wellbeing, while creating champions for change within our own organizations and beyond.

Catch up on our session recordings from Engage 2023.

To learn how your industry peers are experiencing the challenges and opportunities of clinical data transformation, download our Industry Outlook 2024: Advancing Clinical Data Transformation.