Combining University and Consultant Resources“The Farmer and the Cowboy Can Be Friends”

Mark Burton and Paula Dowell

Nashville, TennesseeAugust 2015

The Concept of Comparative Advantage

What Each Resource is Best At

Best Practices for Combining Universities and Consultants

Who Drives (the bus, boat, train, plane)?

Combining University and Consultant Resources

What Each Resource is Best At

University Resources Consultant ResourcesAdhering to Schedules and BudgetsMobilizing Specialized ResourcesNational (Other Regional) PerspectiveStakeholder EngagementDocumentation / Presentation

We’re each skilled at all of these, but they’re really good at. . .

State-Specific Conditions / PracticesBasic Science / Facilities-Based ResearchDay-to-Day / Last-Minute AvailabilityBroader Institutional Foundation

Best Practices

What Works and What Doesn’t

Know Your Resources and Plan for Advantage

Share Information Equally

Have Well Defined Roles and Responsibilities

Establish Interim Milestones

Who Drives the Bus?

Contractual Considerations

•Ease of access•Cost sharing•Funding source•Contract terms

Scope and Schedule

•Applied vs. research•Desired outcomes•Ability to mobilize

Relationships

•Prior experience•Key staff•Level of trust