Designing and Managing R&D Projects to Achieve Outcomes from the Outset

Clark R¹*, Timms J¹* and Burrow H²*

1. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
2. CSIRO, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia

Too often R&D investors and projects target research outputs rather than outcomes. They settle for developing new knowledge, information packages, publications, a new technology or an improved practice that, if used or “adopted” could provide benefits. They fall short of setting targets of outcomes such as measurable improvements in family and regional income, environmental sustainability, energy efficiency or regional human infrastructure.

We have been involved in the design and management of R&D projects that have achieved outcomes early in the projects, as well as regularly and frequently throughout the life of the projects.

This paper discusses the concept of outcome-focused projects, and how they can be designed, managed and improved. It describes key tools that can make focusing on outcomes easier. It also provides examples from projects in the Philippines, southern Africa and Australia, of the benefits and challenges of this type of approach.

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