Facilitating translational team science: The project leader model.

Area of Science:

• * Translational research
• * Academic medicine
• * Clinical and preclinical research

Background:

• * Project management is crucial in clinical research organizations for timely and impactful project completion.
• * Project leaders (PLs) are increasingly vital in academic settings to support translational research.
• * Duke University has pioneered the use of project management in its translational science enterprise.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review the history and evolution of project management and the PL role at Duke.
• * To examine case studies demonstrating the value of PLs in academic research.
• * To address challenges and solutions for implementing project management in academia.

Main Methods:

• * Historical review of project management and PL roles at Duke.
• * Analysis of case studies from Duke's translational research programs.
• * Discussion of challenges, solutions, and training needs for academic PLs.

Main Results:

• * Project management significantly accelerates and improves the success of translational team science.
• * PLs are essential for complex studies, including systems biology and big data initiatives.
• * Case studies highlight the growing value of PLs in the academic research environment.

Conclusions:

• * Project leadership is critical for advancing translational team science.
• * Addressing challenges and defining training needs will optimize PLs' contribution to academic research.
• * The integration of project management enhances the impact and efficiency of translational research endeavors.