A comparison of project management practices in academic research organizations (aros) and contract research organization (cros)

Abstract

With the increased costs of drug development, pharmaceutical companies outsource most of drug development to contract research organizations (CROs) and academic research organizations (AROs). Given the importance of the relationship between the contracting organization and pharmaceutical companies, project management has become the hallmark in conducting clinical trials. The purpose of this project was to identify whether there are differences in the project management practices of CROs and AROs who conduct clinical trials. An electronic survey and follow up interview were administered to 134 CROs and 15 AROs who provide clinical trial services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The survey collected information on the characteristics of project managers, the organization demographics, and project management within the organization. The survey demonstrated significant differences between the services provided (p less than .001), (p=0.001), availability of project management standard operating procedures (SOPs), training of project managers (p less than 0.05), and salary of project managers (p=0.003). The overall response rate of the survey was 36%; thus, the full variance of project management practices may not have been obtained in this survey. These findings highlight some differences between AROs and CROs, and provide a foundation to learn more about project management at these organizations.