CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has introduced a new collaboration tool (CTR) to help businesses connect with the research sector.
The CRL (Collaboration Readiness Levels) tool will help small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) determine the best way for them to engage and collaborate with publicly funded research organisations.
The CSIRO’s new tool will help businesses understand their readiness level to engage with R&D and links each level with suggested steps to progress activities beneficial to the company.
Five different levels of readiness are:
- 1. Considering
- 2. Networking
- 3. Cooperating
- 4. Engaging
- 5. Partnering
CSIRO SME Connect Deputy Director, George Feast said our research discovered that when SMEs collaborate with universities or research organisations in Australia, they are more innovative, better able to cope with unpredictability, and earn more money.
“This novel tool is backed by research which was developed using outcomes from interviews with SMEs and related data analysis in collaboration with partners at the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and RMIT University” says Feast
“The tool has been created in response to recommendations in the Enablers and Barriers to Industry R&D Collaboration report, where 800 SMEs said a device like this was needed to help them successfully navigate research and development opportunities.”
“We anticipate that wide use of the Collaboration Readiness Levels tool will help Australian SMEs find well suited partners and programs,” he said.
Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, University of Queensland Professor Martie-Louise Verreynne says the new CRL tool can also be utilised by funding agents, business development workers, and research organisation employees who seek guidance for commercialising science for economic impact.
“The CRL tool provides information to participants on the types of collaborative activity with publicly funded research organisations s that most suits their business and enables facilitators and researchers to manage the expectations of SMEs.
“The Collaboration Readiness Levels are also complementary to NASA’s Technology Readiness Levels and can support a holistic view to approaching new collaborative research and development projects.” says Professor Verreynne
Robert Gangi, Co-Founder of Gangi Germicidal Systems Lindo said collaboration is essential for SMEs to grow and innovate, and the CRL tool helped us identify our strengths and weaknesses in this area.
Managing Director Select 3D Anuja Rao commenced participation in a CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow which supports SMEs who want to progress their R&D opportunities, or are in the early decision-making stages about engaging in R&D.
Rao says that R&D is sometimes slow and risky, and as a leader, you must keep your team motivated despite the bumps and set a gradual pace.
“I liked that the CRL results informed our development of a draft R&D implementation schedule and I’m looking to now establish conversations with collaboration partnersAnuja Rao, Managing Director Select 3D,” said Rao.
