Changes

The existing grants management systems used by the three federal granting agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) operate on dated technology and are limited in their ability to adapt to the changing needs of both the research community and the agencies themselves.  As a result, the agencies have embarked on a project to modernize their grants management system to better support applicants, administrators, and reviewers during the grants management lifecycle, referred to as the Tri-agency Grants Management Solution (TGMS). Prior to implementation, there is a need to validate and gather information on how the system will be used. There is also an opportunity to harmonize some areas across the agency to allow for a more user-friendly experience. These parts form the Business Process Harmonization (BPH) project which the Innovation Hub is currently leading within NSERC. It is discussed below.  

The existing grants management systems used by the three federal granting agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) operate on dated technology and are limited in their ability to adapt to the changing needs of both the research community and the agencies themselves.  As a result, the agencies have embarked on a project to modernize their grants management system to better support applicants, administrators, and reviewers during the grants management lifecycle, referred to as the Tri-agency Grants Management Solution (TGMS). Prior to implementation, there is a need to validate and gather information on how the system will be used. There is also an opportunity to harmonize some areas across the agency to allow for a more user-friendly experience. These parts form the Business Process Harmonization (BPH) project which the Innovation Hub is currently leading within NSERC. It is discussed below.  

==== Validate and obtain additional information on TGMS planned functions and data from subject matter experts across NSERC. ====

==== Obtain complementary information on TGMS functions and data from subject matter experts. ====

The TGMS team has created a list of business functions that could be included in the new solution as well as a conceptual data model (CDM) identifying what data would be captured and used. The agencies needed to validate both while also identifying any gaps and capturing more details on how they would be used. The results of this work will inform the fit-gap analysis  (determination of the fit of the new solution’s built-in functionalities, processes and workflow with the agency’s business needs and desired outcomes as well as any gaps in the solution’s capabilities that may need to be addressed through development) in preparation for the TGMS.

The TGMS team has created a list of business functions that could be included in the new solution as well as a conceptual data model (CDM) identifying what data would be captured and used. The agencies needed to validate both while also identifying any gaps and capturing more details on how they would be used. The results of this work will inform the fit-gap analysis  (determination of the fit of the new solution’s built-in functionalities, processes and workflow with the agency’s business needs and desired outcomes as well as any gaps in the solution’s capabilities that may need to be addressed through development) in preparation for the TGMS.

As the lead, the Innovation Hub has co-developed change management activities with the TGMS team for NSERC staff. They have also identified subject matter experts (SMEs) to provide input on the documents, created training material and provided training sessions, and facilitated information gathering.

As the lead, the Innovation Hub has co-developed change management activities with the TGMS team for NSERC staff. They have also identified subject matter experts (SMEs) to provide input on the documents, created training material and provided training sessions, and facilitated information gathering.

==== Identify areas for harmonization for CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC in readiness for the Tri-agency grants management solution (TGMS). ====

==== Identify areas for harmonization for the federal granting agencies in readiness for the Tri-agency grants management solution (TGMS). ====

CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC each do some things differently. Even within an agency, there can be differences between funding opportunities (FOs). By moving to a new unified solution, there is an opportunity to harmonize many of the existing processes, business rules, etc. across all three agencies.  

CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC each do some things differently. Even within an agency, there can be differences between funding opportunities (FOs). By moving to a new unified solution, there is an opportunity to harmonize many of the existing processes, business rules, etc. across all three agencies.  

The Innovation Hub captured a list of business rules currently in place at the agencies which was used to identify areas where variabilities exist. These areas were validated by SMEs across the agencies prior to the TGMS team confirming which areas could be harmonized prior to implementation.  

The Innovation Hub captured a list of business rules currently in place at the agencies which was used to identify areas where variabilities exist. These areas were validated by SMEs across the agencies prior to the TGMS team confirming which areas could be harmonized prior to implementation.  

==== Establish a strategy for consultation and collaboration regarding harmonization within the agencies as part of the BPH project. ====

==== Establish a strategy for consultation and collaboration for harmonization within the agencies. ====

To harmonize across the agencies, in addition to identifying potential areas of harmonization, a strategy is required. The strategy must identify how: areas of harmonization will be prioritized, the agencies will collaborate together, and approvals will be obtained.

To harmonize across the agencies, in addition to identifying potential areas of harmonization, a strategy is required. The strategy must identify how: areas of harmonization will be prioritized, the agencies will collaborate together, and approvals will be obtained.