PLANNING FOR 2020:

Although I am not with an "academic" institution any longer (I realize that this
is indicative of my sanity) I am involved with planning for the future of
research administration -- largely by default.

Under a cooperative agreement with several federal agencies, Federal Information
Exchange, Inc. works with several federal funding sources in planning for the
future in research administration.

WARNING:  MY OPINION....

As the feds become increasingly "slim" (we all know that we are not just talking
about staff) they also have become --or have structured themselves to become--
better business managers (e.g., Gatt Helpline 1-800-PTO-2224)   :)

So, it stands to reason that as the feds continue on the "low-fat regime", the
affiliated and/or grantee institutions will be expected to follow suit...  So,
to wrap it up:

The feds are asking themselves "logistics" questions (how can we do more with
less?  How can we increase or service and imporove our business practices for
greater efficiency in the next 5, 10, and 15 years?).

One avenue:  accountability
One vehicle: refined business practice
One fuel:    advanced information management

Allow me to summarize:
Gone are the 8 mil long range grants, now we have 80 smaller, annual renewals...
The feds want to see us as accountable as they will be pushed to be
HOW ARE WE GOING TO HANDLE THIS if/when adding FTEs is not in the formula?

Just getting the dialogue rolling-

Lisa F. Richman
Federal Information Exchange, Inc.
Gaithersburg, MD
District of Columbia