R&D Impact Essentials Training Program

Research-focused industry organisations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate R&D impact and deliver a return on investment (ROI), especially for their levied members.

They’re also looking to upskill their current workforce, so that expertise in science-based roles is enriched with experience in research investor partnerships.

Board directors and similar stakeholders expect R&D projects to drive the anticipated impact, as the key to generating greater ROI.

We know this from our close work with RDCs and other research organisations over the past decade. We’ve helped them apply the Impact R&D principles to their operations in various ways and captured their success stories.

That’s why Impact Innovation’s new R&D Impact Essentials Training Program is ideal for equipping both new and current research managers and product development professionals with the know-how to better identify, assess, deliver and communicate R&D impact in their own sectors.

It’s a comprehensive ‘how-to’ that teaches a proven, replicable method for optimising the impact potential of any R&D project, so you can refine instead of re-invent the process every time.

Step 1 –Theory & Foundations Workshop

This 1-day/7-hour workshop introduces the 10 Principles for R&D Impact and how they relate to innovation development models based on systems and design thinking.

Step 2 – Practical Application Workshop

This 1-day/7-hour workshop sees you applying the tools and approaches introduced in Step 1.

It covers design tools and frameworks that support effective and efficient R&D implementation with a future focus.

Step 3 – Applied Knowledge & Community of Practice Online Sprint

This sprint of 5 online sessions (12 hours total) applies the theory and tools to your R&D program and projects.

The interactive and expert mentoring helps you navigate project design and partner engagement for impact.

Plus, connecting with peers in organisations who have similar research impact KPIs adds a valuable dimension to your learning experience.

It includes an assessment component for a micro-credential, which may be accepted as Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) towards a qualification.

Note: Learners must complete Step 1 before commencing Step 2 and complete Step 2 before participating in Step 3.

Step 1's Theory & Foundations workshop establishes the framework for the whole Program with presentations, discussions, experiential exercises, case studies, crib sheets, and digital tools.

As well as refreshing or boosting knowledge of familiar concepts, its induction-style orients participants for exploring R&D differently. The workshop covers:

• Introduction to modern innovation theory
• Problem clarification
• Principles of R&D Impact
• Introducing tools for impact, including Impact and Commercial Readiness®
• Understanding the Next Investor
• Effective industry engagement (including advisory committees)
• Assessing and redesigning R&D projects for impact

• Respond confidently to the pressure to deliver ‘impact’ with a clear understanding of what impact from R&D actually is and how you can maximise it in your investment portfolio
• Become the valued facilitator of knowledge transfer with your improved capability to coordinate collaborations and communications between researchers, investors and other industry stakeholders, as well as to prepare high quality proposals and clearly articulate project outcomes.
• Boost your business/commercial acumen for better industry engagement and project investment returns.
• Recognise and mitigate risks earlier, with techniques for assessing and optimising project viability, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently, and keeping projects aligned with your stakeholders’ objectives.
• Reduce time spent in your projects’ governance and contracting phases with frameworks for accelerating informed investment decision-making, so you can focus on generating impact sooner.
• Prepare practical adoption management and assessment strategies to help your stakeholders gain the best advantage from new initiatives and technologies – demonstrating your capability for taking viable projects from design, through implementation, and towards measurable impact.
• Take an innovation from idea through implementation to impact, building on what you already know and want to do next.
• Develop the essential skills and knowledge for navigating the complexities of R&D investment and impact assessment, enhancing your career prospects and the value you bring to every future project.

26 contact hours (total) over 6 weeks.

Step 1 is a full-day in-person workshop.

Step 2 is a full-day in-person workshop.

Step 3’s online Community of Practice sprint shares applied learning and insights  over 5 sessions (12 hours total).

NB: For Step 3 you will need to work on your assessment project outside of contact time. The number of hours will depend on the project you choose to have assessed and your personal schedule.

None for the Step 1 workshop.

Learners must complete Step 1 before commencing Step 2, and complete Step 2 before participating in Step 3.

The R&D Impact Essentials Program aligns with:

• ISO 56002:2019 Innovation Management Standards
• Australian Skills Classification for ANZSCO 1325
• Australian Qualifications Framework Level 5
• Australian Core Skills Framework Level 5

Enrolments now open for programs starting:

Sydney 17-18 September 2024

Canberra 15-16 October 2024

Brisbane 19-20 November 2024

• Group workshops are delivered in-person and/or online (limited places per session).
• In-house private delivery can be booked for other dates by organisations wanting to upskill several employees together.
• Public delivery is offered at set times and venues throughout the year as advertised here.

Per participant in cross-sector (public) delivery:

Step 1 Theory & Foundations workshop
$1100 pp

Step 2 Practical Application workshop
$1100 pp

Per participant 2-day package:

Step 1 Theory & Foundations workshop + Step 2 Practical Application workshop
$2000 pp

Step 3 Applied Knowledge & Community of Practice online sprint
$1775 pp

* Please note:

Course fees listed do not include GST.

Course fees include delivery and activity materials only.

For in-house/private cohorts discounts may apply where the host client can cover all venue and catering costs separately.

Upfront payment for all 3 steps is not mandatory. The fee amount for Step 1 can be deducted from the invoice for Step 2 and the fee amount for Step 2 can be deducted from the invoice for Step 3 if the program is undertaken within 12 months of completing Step 1.

Minimum numbers are required to proceed with any of the program steps. Registered participants are notified 7 days prior to the workshop date confirming attendance.