Practical Suggestions for “wicked

problems”

Research AllianceWhat is it? A business relationship to

work on a project (purpose, activity, geography)Share measurable outcomes (risks and rewards)Commit resources Interact at different levels (strategic, product

specific, collaborative..)It’s not simple R&D outsourcing

AllianceCritical IssuesOrganizational Relationship

External and InternalConflict of Mission and Values

University – basic research, HQP training, publications

Industry – applied research, HQP hiring, customer value

Cultural flavoursCorporate (or Institutional)SubunitNational

Collaboration

Compromise

Avoidance

Cooperation

Ass

ertiv

enes

s

Academia

Large Firms

SMEs

Start ups

Investment Communit

y

Vis

ion

In

to F

utu

re

Co

mm

erci

al S

ucc

ess

•Problem definition•Develop hypothesis•Methods to solve•Analysis

A c a d e m i a

I n d u s t r y

$NSERC, OCE, IRAP, NCE

FedDev

NSERC, OCE, IRAP, MITACS

Case Studies – from both sides of the table

Via Industry

Via Academia

•NPD•$1 million R&D expense•BU - $25-30 million in sales•Polymers for energy cables

•Software Research & Development•Industry Lead•Faculty with Industry experience•Government funding ~ $300 K

Implementation Lead - Industry

“Tire kicks”

“Due diligence” “True Alliance”

Implementation Lead - Industry

Prepare Assess Agree Implement

•Know thy needs•Know thy success•Link objectives

•Academic Team•Team support•Speed•Funding cycle

•Who does what•Avoid “by the way”•Legal “boiler plate”•“embedding problems”

•Appoint lead person•Integrate into workflow•Attend student presentations•Provide feedback

CONIIUniv.Contracts

Off.

Research Alliance Elements for Success

Other Tips