Beyond deadlines and deliverables: Identifying barriers and facilitators to enhance the PROMICE of translational teams.

Background/objective: The Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program supports a national network of medical research institutions working to expedite the development of treatments and interventions. High-performing translational teams (TTs) involving inter-institutional collaborations are critical for advancing these evidence-based approaches. However, management of these complex teams can be difficult, and tailored project management may help TTs overcome the unique challenges they face.

Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 14 dedicated project managers (PMs) from six CTSAs to learn more about their experiences with TTs. Information derived from the thematic analysis of the data was used to identify barriers and facilitators for effective project management.

Results: Barriers included a lack of institutional support, communication issues, pushback, role confusion, and a need for agility. Facilitators included transparent communication, supportive team environments, shared leadership with autonomy, and opportunities for professional development. The PMs interviewed for this study provided descriptions of their work that depicted a more expansive view of project management than the more traditional approach focused on meeting deadlines and managing deliverables.

Conclusion: Our findings have been used to inform development, training, and guidance for an innovative project management resource, the Project Management Innovation Center of Excellence (PROMICE) recently launched at the UW-Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR). Through the development of a dedicated career path, PROMICE recognizes the value that PMs bring to translational science and provides the support that they need to be innovative, leading their teams to success.