FAQs

Mariana's professional profile

A highly experienced scientist focussing on integrating multi-disciplinary science and research to provide solutions to clients with complex problems.  Experienced in knowledge management, technology management and innovation management.  Focus on industrial research where all research and development is done to solve real problems and unlock value for clients.

More than twenty years of experience in

1. Pro-actively develop a research capability that is aligned with client requirements and expectations

2. Market the capability to prospective new clients and ensure the resultant projects are aligned with client expectations

3. Strategic direction to the future research capabilities to develop. Programme management the portfolio of research projects

4. Contextualise innovation management, technology management, project management and quality assurance for knowledge products and knowledge tools

5. All research and capability development focused on providing utility for clients

6. Research capabilities included: Systems Thinking, numerical and mathematical modelling, numerical modelling, simulation, gaming, conceptual design and development

7. Modelling capabilities included: agent based simulation, chaos, catastrophe and complexity modelling, epidemiology

8. Serviceing clients in defence and security sectors

Marketing of science and research capabilities to clients

1. Listening to client “problems” , design and propose a solution to the client. When accepted and the project cost and timelines agreed on, source and quality manage the proposed solution. (This could mean an in-house research project and/or sourcing external expertise. Manage all aspects of of the resultant project(s))

2. Managing the interface between the client and researchers, ensuring both research excellence and client requirements are satisfied

3. Managing client expectations over the life cycle of the project

4. Managing the balance between investment in capability development and providing utility for clients

5. Responsible for identifying and managing risk

6. Pro-actively contextualise existing capabilities and match them to client requirements for marketing and demonstration purposes

7. Pro-actively developing prototypes to use for client demonstration

8. Monitoring client environments and pro-actively engage clients by proposing research to prepare for projected future requirements

9. Manage the evolution from research results to product development

10. Participate in contract management of projects

Main areas of expertise in terms of client liaison

1. Able to listen to a client's problem and translate that into what R&D needs to be done to provide a solution

2. Able to sell the proposal to the client and structure and plan the resultant project(s)

3. Able to act as client interface to ensure both objectives of client expectations and research excellence are met

4. Understand the specific issues during implementation of the results in the client environment and able to manage the process.

5. Understand the demands and pitfalls of long term implications to support delivered products and solutions through their life cycle in the client environment, and manage the process to be successful in this aspect of client service

Relevant industrial research - Enhance the ability of an R&D team/facility to service clients

1. Able to assess the readiness of a research capability to successfully execute client-requested projects

2. Able to specify and develop processes, structures and capabilities to embed a client focus in a research facility (on team and/or arganisational levels)

3. Able to engage prospective clients and translate the value they can obtain from the available R&D capabilities into their context. Packaging solutions for their problems and selling it to them and to the research teams.

Innovation Management and Commercialisation

1. Able to programme manage a research capability and provide strategic direction to remain relevant in a chaning client environment

2. Adept in all aspects of project management in a R&D environment

3. Able to manage technology through all phases of its life cycle, from design/invention to disposal. Understand the technical, organisational, cultural and societal aspects of technology management

4. Commercialisation: Able to manage the process from taking a prototype to marketable product (Read more about commercialisation)

5. Innovation management: Able to use appropriate innovation management approaches to fit product/problem, client and R&D realities

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