OpenTTO.org

OpenTTO.org Continuous Improvement of Commercialization Business Process

walter adamson — 2004-07-19T19:24:50+10:00

Driving Commercialization Effectiveness through Continuous Process Improvement

The OpenTTO.org DILIGENT methodology is a flow through a set of phases, each of which can be optimised and continuously improved, as can the flow itself. This adoption of a typical quality improvement approach, or a systems approach to the process, is fundamental to the value of DILIGENT and OpenTTO.org.

DILIGENT - is an multi-stage screening and business development process with 8 phases and an Evaluation Tollgate mid-way - between Phase 4 ADC - Alliances Distribution & Clusters and Phase 5 FCS - Funding & Commercial Structures. The output is a Commercializaton Plan, in the form of a Business Plan and a Risk Management Plan.

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How do you interpret OpenTTO.org in the context of other commercialization "systems"?

DILIGENT focuses on the layer of process of interest to those executives who need to know about the state of projects in the flow of commercialization stages, and the confidence associated with a project, and risk profile and how those elements have changed as a project has flowed through the commercialization process. For example, this role may be one to which the commercialization managers report. In the main those who need to know about these type of portfolio status questions are not those who use transaction systems and IP management systems. These latter systems are where almost every IT system operates because (1) they are needed to help the efficiency of commercialization personnel, and (2) there is no accepted overall commercialization business process. The OpenTTO.org process aims at effectiveness and management review, not task efficiency. It also forms part of an overall complete architecture and business process for commercialization.

Reviews and reports commissioned all over the world consistently report on the fact that the vast majority of Technology Transfer Offices are under-skilled and stretched too thin across the range of functions serviced. Whether is it the Australian Innovation Summit 2000 report, or the Association of University Technology Managers in their 2000 report, the general observation of the need to upgrade skills and resources is the same.

The mission of OpenTTO.org is to create, as a community, the leading international Technology Transfer Office open business process that provides access to all functionality and dataflows through an open component-based value chain.

The method is through continuous improvement and open collaboration.

This will be achieved by organisations adopting DILIGENT through a six-stage change management process:

Stage 1 - Create the Vision of being Focused, Effective and Efficient;
Stage 2 - Create the Culture of Acceptance to Adopt Common Best Practice from an Open Source;
Stage 3 - Review and Amend Business Processes to Adapt to the OpenTTO.org DILIGENT Methodology;
Stage 4 - Adjust the Technology Infrastructure to Support the New Business Environment;
Stage 5 - Continuously Review and Adapt and Collaborate to Improve the Open Processs at OpenTTO.org;
Stage 6 - Extend the Reach of OpenTTo.org and the Business Processes into Wider Relationships.

Of all these steps many organisations find the first the most challenging. This is because although groups tacitly agree with the notion of "Re-use not re-invent" in practice they find reasons why they are different and special and why they should not adopt common processes.

To illustrate this latter mindset, consider those who ask "Why would you want a camera in a cell phone?", when surely the question is why woudn't we want a camera in a cell phone?

Why would overstretched and under-resourced and under-skilled Technology Transfer Offices not want an open collaboratively developed commercialization methodology? Except for occasional timing issues where adoption is just not possible for a period, the majority of those serious about focusing their resources for maximum productivity and effectiveness must adopt an open collaborative process.

Since most commercialization groups are overstretched they lack sophisticated commercialization processes because they don't have the time to develop them. University TTO staff have to cover an enormously diverse range of demands and needs, and the road to commercialization is a long one. Groups are often on a learning curve as people move in and out, and they take their process and risk management knowledge with them. As well, universities all across the world are realizing that commercialization is an expensive high-risk option that has a long-term modest return, on average.

For example in the US the average university earned only 4.2% of R&D expenditure from licenses and spin-outs (AUTM report on year 2000 for universities, hospitals and research institutions). Australian universities earned 3.1% in that same period (according to the Australia Research Council).

On the other hand, the University of California earned 12% of R&D expenditure through licensing IP and Flinders University in South Australia has generated an IRR of 70% over the past 17 years including an operating profit of $7m in 2003.

The adoption of the OpenTTO.org DILIGENT process allows commercialization groups to focus on what is really important - to refocuse on customer satisfaction as the critical consequence and to require "suppliers" to do a better job providing the major inputs.

It also protects the parent organisation from the "brain drain" when commercialization staff leave, because it captures as much knowledge as possible in an open shared process, and where improvements are captured and not captive to an individual.

In short, it allows commercialization groups to improve continuously and add value to the process so that quality inputs become quality outputs that meet customer satisfaction i.e. improved returns for the stakeholders in R&D.

Note: The OpenTTO.org DILIGENT model is multilayed - it comprises the highest level process from end-to-end and the layers below which lead through the process into application through work instructions and templates. The latter layers are not fully developed and will be built with contributions. The benefit of the overall DILIGENT structure is that these work instruction and template layers can be readily classified and categorised into the appropriate steps of the process.

For more information about OpenTTO.org:

About OpenTTO.org - here
Contributing Work - here
Mission and Background - here
License - here
Contact - here

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

How can OpenTTO.org help? Email Walter Adamson; Call (Australia) +61 403 345 632. Call for assistance in sponsoring OpenTTO.org with agencies, governments and institutions, and for speaking engagements to promote more effective university and research commercialization through the power of the open source movement.

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Open TTO.org License - Maintenance

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T18:55:08+10:00

OpenTTO.org is an open community for business process design built by an open community of technology transfer practitioners and providers. Operating under a open source paradigm, with a common public license that provides royalty free documentation, source code and world wide redistribution rights, OpenTTO.org provides commercialization professionals with ultimate flexibility and control over their processes and associated software technology.

OpenTTO.org is a non-profit body formed to advance the creation, evolution, promotion, and support of the technology transfer and commercialization community and to cultivate both an open source community and an ecosystem of complementary products, capabilities, and services.

The inital project is the DILIGENT open source commercialization Business Process for technology transfer offices and commercialization groups.

All material from OpenTTO.org is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

Downloading and licensing is free, but there is a maintenance charge for all OpenTTO.org business process documents - DILIGENT - and software code. This maintence charge is used to maintain the OpenTTO.org site and management of the DILIGENT FOUNDATION.

The annual Maintence Fee is US$51 for non-profit organisations, and for profit organisations is US$295. Bona-fide students pay no maintenance fee to use this OpenTTO.org material.

Contact OpenTTO.org for payment methods and details.

For audit purposes OpenTTO.org tracks document download referring sites.

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

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OpenTTO.org - Fixing the Key Elements of Commercialisation - Process, Skills and Rewards

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T16:19:30+10:00

From the website of the Australian Institute for Commercialisation

Fixing the Key Elements of Commercialisation - Process, Skills and Rewards.
Date: July 2004
Author: Walter Adamson
Category: Commercialisation Issues : Discussion Paper
Source: Digital Investor, OpenTTO.org

File: ADAMSON-Fixing-Key-Elements-Commercialisation - download here (PDF, 136KB)

Description: An independent expert discusses the necessary reform of the Australian innovation system in a recent article.

Walter Adamson, Australia�??s leading i-mode® business strategy consultant, is the founder and principal of Digital Investor Pty Ltd based in Melbourne, Australia. His work is focused on the IT and Telco industry itself, and major users of their services. "I provide fearless independent review of strategy, projects, processes, partners and positioning,", says Walter

This article highlights that three key components �?? the right process, the right people, and the right rewards �?? are missing from most commercialisation activities in Australian universities and institutions.

Australia has recently been diagnosed as struggling to make progress in improving its ability at commercialisation (BRW Innovation Issue 17-23 June 2004) which raises the questions of incentives and resources being misdirected.

Three solutions are needed to address these issues:

�?� Solve the process problem
�?� Employ the right people
�?� Spread the reward to motivate

The Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) has identified three key barriers to better commercialisation. These barriers relate to the adequacy of coordination, skills, and analysis within the commercialisation sector.

As a national, not-for-profit company the AIC works with Australian research institutions and industry to maximise returns from research and development investment. AIC programs and activities are directed to address these three key impediments to greater success in the commercialisation sector.

A range of products and services delivered under the AIC Know-How suite attempts to solve the skills issue. AIC Know-How includes the AIC Gateway, Commercialisation Bootcamps and Workshops, Commercialisation Case Studies, and a Market Research Service. The AIC Gateway, our online Early Stage Commercialisation Management System (CMS), available to AIC members is aimed at solving the process issue.

This and other items can be found in the Research and Links Library of the AIC.

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OpenTTO.org - Free Articles and Papers - open source methodology for technology transfer managers

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T15:25:20+10:00

The inital project is the DILIGENT open source commercialization Business Process for technology transfer offices and commercialization groups.

For more information about OpenTTO.org:

About OpenTTO.org
Contributing Work
Mission and Further Projects
License
Contact
Overview of DILIGENT

Free Papers

Open Source Everywhere	Pubished by Wired Magazine Issue 11.11 November 2003 article print version
The Customer Value Equation - for Technology Managers	As published by ECPweb.com in Technology Asset Manager November 2003 Developing Value Propositions (PDF, 3 pages)
Fixing the Key Elements of Commercialisation �?? Process, Skills and Reward	As published at the Australian Institute for Commercialisation website, download (PDF, 6 pages July 2004)
How to Fix the Core Problem of Australia's Poor Commercialisation	Walter Adamson; 2004 download (5 pages PDF)
Fallacies that Cause Poor Commercialisation Outcomes - DILIGENT White Paper	Walter Adamson; 2002 download (7 pages PDF 2002)
Why Commercialise? - DILIGENT White Paper	Walter Adamson; 2002 download (11 pages PDF 2002)
Innovation is Dangerous for Your Health - Case Study	Walter Adamson; 2002 updated 2003 download (PDF 8 pages)
Innovation Competence (for CIOs)	Walter Adamson; 2003 download (PDF of PPT, 12 pages)
The CIO's Leadership in Business Innovation	Walter Adamson; 2003 download (3 pages, PDF)
What Makes an Entrepreneur	Access Capital; 2001 download (35 pages, PDF)
Guide to Researchers: Intellectual Property, Patents and Licensing	Isis Innovation; 2001 The Technology Transfer Company of the University of Oxford download (18 pages, PDF)
Entering into an Alliance with Big Pharma	Anton Gueth, Eli Lilly; Pharmaceutical Technology; 2001 download (4 pages, PDF)
Capturing Value from Your Intellectual Property HP	HP, Seminar; 2001 download (39 pages, PDF)
Strategies for Successful University Collaborations	Carol H. Stephens, Eli Lilly; download (3 pages, PDF)
Moving from Theory to Action: Using an Action Map to Guide the Way	Poster Session; 2002 Saint Louis University 8th Annual Research Day Symposium download (16 pages, PDF)

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

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Open TTO.org Contact Us - Open source commercialization process for technology transfer managers

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T15:09:51+10:00

Contact:

Walter Adamson - Founding Sponsor, and Executive Director
OpenTTO.org
PO Box 470 Collins St West
Melbourne Australia 8007

Tel: (Australia) +61 403 345 632
Fax: +61 3 9923 6123

walter.adamson@opentto.org
www.opentto.org

For more information about OpenTTO.org:

About OpenTTO.org - here
Contributing Work - here
Mission - here
License - here

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

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The OpenTTO.org DILIGENT Commercialization Process for Technology Transfer Offices - Overview

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T12:22:11+10:00

The DILIGENT Open Source commercialization cycle is published by OpenTTO.org.

The OpenTTO.org Commercialization Business Process - DILIGENT - is an multi-stage screening and business development process with 8 phases and an Evaluation Tollgate mid-way - between Phase 4 ADC - Alliances Distribution & Clusters and Phase 5 FCS - Funding & Commercial Structures.

Each phase uses a simplified SIPOC Model showing the "suppliers", inputs, process, outputs and customers for that phase of the business process. The SIPOC Model establishes the boundaries of a particular business process phase by showing its beginning and ending points. The SIPOC model helps provide a process-driven approach to divide the entire scope of the commercialization process into manageable segments.

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The OpenTTO.org DILIGENT architecture is multilayed - it comprises the highest level process from end-to-end and the layers below which lead through the process into application through work instructions and templates. The DILIGENT process model is the current OpenTTO.org process. The latter layers are not yet fully developed and will be built with contributions and further phased open source projects.

The benefit of the overall DILIGENT structure is that these work instruction and template layers can be readily classified and categorised into the appropriate steps of the process.

The first four phases of the DILIGENT open source process comprise:

Phase 1 - CPA �?? Competitive Patent Analysis
(30 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (15 pages)

Phase 2 - MVP �?? Market Value Proposition
(23 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (12 pages)

Phase 3 - IDA �?? Industry Dynamic Analysis
(15 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (8 pages)

Phase 4 - ADC �?? Alliances, Distribution & Clusters
(32 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (16 pages)

Then comes the Phase 4 - Phase 4 - Evaluation Tollgate.
This is to check if further investment justified:

Investment in continuing this evaluation?
Investment in further basic research;
Investment in extra work on previous steps?
(5 pages) PPT | PPS Slide Show | PDF (3 pages)

The next four phases, to complete the business structure, the risk plan, and the specific commercialization plan, comprise:

Phase 5 - FCS �?? Financial & Commercial Structures
(41 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (20 pages)

Phase 6 - PMR �?? People, Management & Recruiting
(26 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (13 pages)

Phase 7 - SPB �?? Sales, Pricing & Branding
(14 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (7 pages)

Phase 8 - TRP �?? Test & Resource the Plan
(15 pages) PPT  |  PPS Slide Show  |  PDF (8 pages)

DILIGENT also has a Phase 0 - which comprises two parts:

Phase 0 Section 1 - is an Education Module about commercialization
(42 pages) PPT | PPS Slide Show | PDF (21 pages); and,

Phase 0 Section 2 - is a Training Module about the DILIGENT process
(29 pages) PPT | PPS Slide Show | PDF (15 pages)

For the quickest overview of DILIGENT view Phase 0 Section 2. The last slides in Section 2 outline the steps and the whole process, and lead into the Phase 1 details.

For more information about OpenTTO.org:

About OpenTTO.org - here
Contributing Work - here
Mission and Background - here
License - here
Contact - here

By downloading OpenTTO.org's documents you are agreeing the the terms of the Public Document License (PDL) which you can review here.

Downloading and licensing is free, but there is a maintenance charge for all OpenTTO.org business process documents - DILIGENT - and software code. This maintence charge is used to maintain the OpenTTO.org site and management of the DILIGENT FOUNDATION.

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

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Open TTO.org Business Process Phase 4 �?? Evaluation Tollgate

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T11:30:15+10:00

DILIGENT Business Process Phase 4 �?? Evaluation Tollgate

This mid-stream process check Evaluation Tollgate follows Phase 4 ADC - Alliances Distribution & Clusters. The next phase is Phase 5 FCS - Funding & Commercial Structures.

The process phases all have common structures. They start with objectives and describe the module in terms of a repeatable six-sigma process. This "SIPOC" process maps Customers, Outputs, Process, Inputs and Suppliers for the phases of the DILIGENT commercialization process.

We begin by setting the objective of the Evaluation Tollgate. This is to check if further investment justified:

Investment in continuing this evaluation?
Investment in further basic research?
Investment in extra work on previous steps?

Does the Confidence Index reflect the will to proceed?

CONTENTS

Screening Principles
Validate Further Investment
Decision Paths
Review Portfolio

Download DILIGENT Phase 4 �?? Evaluation Tollgate (5 pages, Version 33 July 2004) PPT | PPS Slide Show | PDF (3 pages)

By downloading OpenTTO.org's documents you are agreeing the the terms of the Public Document License (PDL) which you can review at Licensing.

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

How can OpenTTO.org help? Email Walter Adamson; Call (Australia) +61 403 345 632.
Call for assistance in sponsoring OpenTTO.org with agencies, governments and institutions, and for speaking engagements to promote more effective university and research commercialization through the power of the open source movement.

Open TTO.org Business Process Phase 8 �?? Test & Resource Plan

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T11:20:29+10:00

DILIGENT Business Process Phase 8 �?? TRP - Test & Resource Plan

This Phase 8 �?? TRP - Test & Resource Plan follows Phase 7 �?? SPB - Sales Pricing & Branding. This pahse is the final phase in the DILIGENT commercialization business process.

We begin by setting the objective of Test & Resource Plan. This is to build and test the Business Plan:

Is it feasible, and achievable?
Are resources available to execute?
Is the risk and reward consistent with the global commercialisation objective?

The Plan should represent the optimum value creation and capture process for the invention, consistent with the global commercialisation strategy.

CONTENTS

TRP Objective
Business plan (purpose, content, musts)
Preparing the financials
Executive inputs
Testing the draft
Confidence index

Download DILIGENT Phase 8 �?? TRP - Test & Resource Plan (15 pages Version 33. July 2004) PPT | PPS Slide Show | PDF (8 pages)

By downloading OpenTTO.org's documents you are agreeing the the terms of the Public Document License (PDL) which you can review at Licensing.

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

How can OpenTTO.org help? Email Walter Adamson; Call (Australia) +61 403 345 632.
Call for assistance in sponsoring OpenTTO.org with agencies, governments and institutions, and for speaking engagements to promote more effective university and research commercialization through the power of the open source movement.

Open TTO.org Business Process Phase 7 �?? Sales Pricing & Branding

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T10:59:24+10:00

DILIGENT Business Process Phase 7 �?? SPB - Sales Pricing & Branding

This Phase 7 �?? SPB - Sales Pricing & Branding follows Phase 6 - PMR - People Management & Recruitment. The next phase is Phase 8 �?? TRP - Test & Resource Plan.

We begin by setting the objective of Sales Pricing & Branding. This is to identify sales pricing and branding points:

What are target segments are targeted and why?
What are the sales channels?
What team is needed to cover the channel?
What pricing model is best?
How is the offer branded?

The overall objective is to produce a clear picture of the marketing and pricing and branding and the timing and capabilities required.

CONTENTS

SPB Objective
SIPOC Process
Sales strategies and tactics
Advertising and promotion
Pricing Plan
Brand Strategy
Confidence index

Download DILIGENT Phase 7 �?? SPB - Sales Pricing & Branding (14 pages Version 33. July 2004) PPT | PPS Slide Show | PDF (7 pages)

By downloading OpenTTO.org's documents you are agreeing the the terms of the Public Document License (PDL) which you can review at Licensing.

Contribute an improved version of the DILIGENT Open Source Commercialization Process - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

How can OpenTTO.org help? Email Walter Adamson; Call (Australia) +61 403 345 632.
Call for assistance in sponsoring OpenTTO.org with agencies, governments and institutions, and for speaking engagements to promote more effective university and research commercialization through the power of the open source movement.

Open TTO.org Business Process Phase 6 �?? People Management & Recruitment

walter adamson — 2004-07-18T10:38:35+10:00

DILIGENT Business Process Phase 6 �?? PMR - People Management & Recruitment

This Phase 6 �?? PMR - People Management & Recruitment follows Phase 5 - FCS - Finance & Commercial Structures. The next phase is Phase 7 - SPB - Sales Pricing & Branding.

We begin by setting the objective of People Management & Recruitment. This is to identify people and team issues critical to success:

Is the right team available - entrepreneurs?
Can they grow and recruit?
What are the cultural challenges
How will the composition change over time?

The team has to have initial skills and ambition and be capable of accepting and implementing changes to their own roles, team structure and responsibilities over time.

CONTENTS

PMR Objective
5 myths about entrepreneurship
The sixth myth about entrepreneurship
Grow and recruit
A team for hard times
Cultural challenges
Communication styles
Recruiting
Boards
Roles change over time
Confidence index

Download DILIGENT Phase 6 �?? PMR - People Management & Recruitment (26 pages Version 33, July 2004) PPT | PPS Slide Show | PDF (13 pages)

By downloading OpenTTO.org's documents you are agreeing the the terms of the Public Document License (PDL) which you can review at Licensing.

Contribute an improved version of DILIGENT Phase 6 �?? PMR - People Management & Recruitment - for public use. Email to submit@opentto.org

How can OpenTTO.org help? Email Walter Adamson; Call (Australia) +61 403 345 632.