Research and Development (R&D) is a key ’factor of production’ in the global business environment and yet there can be no doubt that research budgets are under attack as never before. International competitive pressure means that companies, and countries, must innovate or die even though funding is often decreasing. The answer to this dichotomy is to ensure better value for money - and this toolkit will lead you towards that goal. The Outsourcing R&D Toolkit comprehensively covers the strategic and tactical issues necessary for a company to decide whether, and to what extent, to buy in their knowledge-based services. Having done this it then goes on to provide a toolbox of commercial materials to enable better control of external R&D projects. It consists of two main Parts: ¢ Part I: Buying Research Services - this provides an up-to-date briefing on contract R&D, practices, procedures and pitfalls. It includes 70+ learning points which highlight issues particularly important to companies buying-in R&D services. ¢ Part II: Contract Research Toolbox of template contract and contract management documents including instructions for use: these materials are subtly tailored to the commercial interests of the knowledge buyer and form a contracting system in their own right. They may also be used to benchmark existing company practices and procedures. Buying in R&D services is undoubtedly the way of the future and a core management competence across all industrial sectors. The Outsourcing R&D Toolkit will stop you from being left behind!
