Implementation Burden Becomes a Key Consideration for Evidence Software Adoption

When choosing evidence generation software, there is usually a focus on finding the right technology. However, once the contract is signed, a number of challenges arise. It seems that, in recent years, many biopharma companies start paying more attention to the implementation burden related to evidence programs.

There are a number of issues that need to be considered at the beginning of implementation. First of all, biopharma organizations tend to have different ways of managing research programs. There can be different workflows in place for R&D functions. Medical affairs may have their own documentation rules. Systems that are used in other areas of operations can also impact implementation.

In such conditions, introducing new software involves not only deploying the program. Sometimes, biopharma companies need to adjust processes, redefine the roles, define how information flows within the organization and so on. This step tends to require more time than expected initially.

In case of evidence generation programs, the problem may be even more complicated. Research activities that need to be managed can sometimes last for years. Thus, any changes implemented during the transition process can potentially impact ongoing projects, upcoming research initiatives and internal reporting procedures.

Another issue that should be discussed is training. Even when the software is designed well, the adoption success largely depends on the ability of users to implement it properly. Otherwise, they can continue relying on spreadsheets or other tools that seem more efficient to them.

Increasingly, many biopharma organizations understand that adoption success can depend more on governance factors than product features itself. Ownership, oversight and other process-related questions become very important during adoption, especially if the organization lacks experience in implementing a particular type of software. This aspect is not always considered when buyers evaluate different platforms.

All this makes the process of choosing evidence software more complicated than ever. Procurement discussions tend to become focused on implementation considerations. Biopharma organizations pay less attention to product selection and more focus on deployment and adoption challenges. While still being an important component, technological features become less crucial.

Providers of such solutions face certain difficulties too. They cannot always predict what customers' expectations will be in terms of configurability, customization and adaptation to organizational needs.

However, the implementation burden is here to stay. The growing complexity of evidence programs leads biopharma organizations to explore better software solutions. However, adoption success will largely depend not on features but other aspects mentioned above.

Therefore, the implementation strategy plays a key role today. For most biopharma organizations, the main question is not whether the software can help manage research activities. Instead, it is the question about how much efforts will need to be made.