What's your R&D trend tracking strategy?

1 Define your goals and scope

Before you dive into the vast pool of R&D trends, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you want to focus on. What are the main objectives and questions of your R&D project or program? What are the key domains, industries, or regions that are relevant to your R&D topic? How broad or narrow do you want your trend analysis to be? By defining your goals and scope, you can avoid getting overwhelmed or distracted by irrelevant or outdated information.

2 Choose your sources and methods

Once you have your goals and scope in mind, you need to select the most appropriate and reliable sources and methods for tracking R&D trends. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can use a combination of primary and secondary sources, such as academic journals, industry reports, patents, news articles, blogs, podcasts, webinars, surveys, interviews, or workshops. You can also use different methods to collect, analyze, and visualize data, such as keyword searches, bibliometric analysis, topic modeling, trend mapping, or scenario building. The key is to use sources and methods that are credible, relevant, and diverse.

3 Monitor and update regularly

R&D trends are dynamic and constantly evolving, so you need to monitor and update your trend tracking strategy regularly. You can use tools like RSS feeds, email alerts, newsletters, or social media to stay informed of the latest developments and changes in your R&D field. You can also use tools like dashboards, reports, or summaries to organize and communicate your findings and insights. The frequency and format of your monitoring and updating will depend on your goals and scope, but you should aim to keep your trend tracking strategy fresh and flexible.

4 Evaluate and apply your insights

The ultimate purpose of tracking R&D trends is to generate valuable insights that can inform and improve your R&D decisions and actions. Therefore, you need to evaluate and apply your insights in a systematic and strategic way. You can use tools like SWOT analysis, gap analysis, or impact analysis to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the R&D trends you identified. You can also use tools like roadmaps, action plans, or prototypes to translate your insights into concrete R&D outcomes. The key is to use insights that are actionable, relevant, and impactful.

5 Learn and improve continuously

Tracking R&D trends is not a one-time activity, but a continuous learning process. You need to constantly review and refine your trend tracking strategy based on your feedback and results. You can use tools like surveys, interviews, or tests to measure and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your trend tracking strategy. You can also use tools like journals, blogs, or podcasts to share and exchange your experiences and lessons learned with other R&D professionals. The key is to use learning as a way to improve your R&D trend tracking strategy and performance.

6 Enjoy and have fun

Tracking R&D trends can be challenging and demanding, but it can also be rewarding and fun. You can discover new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities that can spark your creativity and curiosity. You can also connect with other R&D enthusiasts who share your passion and vision. You can use tools like games, quizzes, or challenges to make your trend tracking strategy more engaging and enjoyable. The key is to use fun as a way to motivate and inspire yourself and others to track R&D trends.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?