Problem: what does the group wish to accomplish? What does success mean? The focus does not need to be limited to scientific research. The goals could include, but are not limited to, using science to address defined societal problem(s), improving outcomes for specific populations, community service, and providing mentorship opportunities. Work to understand the problem from the perspective of those who experience it (end-user or beneficiary) or understand it well (scholars).

Target audience: if we solve the problem, who will value this information (narrow and wide focus)?

Value proposition: if we solve the problem(s) what does the final product look like?

Unfair advantage: What is your unique scientific identity? What advantages does this this group possess that are uncommon to the scientific community, and will help this group stand out and be successful? Unfair advantage can come from one or more aspects of the model (e.g., the team, proprietary technology or methodology, resources, partnerships).

Problem: using a white board or online software such as Miro (2022), perform a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis (Zhukova, 2021).

Target audience: identify the key population or end-user. Narrowing your focus will assist in developing confidence in your chosen area and increase your likelihood of meaningful impact.

Value proposition: don't just identify the problem, think about the “so what?” Practice describing your end-product—–your sales pitch to journals and funding bodies!

Unfair advantage: Resist conformity (Seals, 2022a). Listen to and learn from established investigators, and respect established cultural norms. However, when someone informs you that “this is the way things are done,” do not be afraid to ask why, and do not be afraid to think outside the box and to establish your own brand! (Tregoning and McDermott, 2020; Seals, 2022b). As described above, the SWOT analysis is a useful tool (Zhukova, 2021).

Mission statement: what does this group do? What are the main functions of the group?

Vision statement: if we achieve the mission, what difference will we make?

Value statement: what values best define how each member is expected to conduct themselves in the group?

Focus areas: what, specifically, should we focus on to work toward the vision?

Objectives: with respect to our focus areas, what targets should we set?

Projects: what specific activities will help to achieve the objectives?

KPIs: what should we measure to indicate whether the objectives are effectively being met?

Mission statement: succinctly and clearly outline a clear purpose for the research group existing.

Vision statement: describe the “so what?” i.e., the difference that will result from achieving the mission. Vision can help obtain buy-in from team members.

Value statement: clearly outline the values of greatest importance to the group. These values can be broad and consist of one or two words for each value, e.g., open communication, community, and/or growth mindset.

Focus areas: establish high-priority areas that are more specific than the vision.

Objectives: establish specific, measurable targets, e.g., complete XXX project by XXX.

Projects: establish projects that will specifically help to achieve the objectives, e.g., write a publication on XXX by XXX.

KPIs: establish specific measures of success, e.g., number graduations, publication count, and/or revenue generated (Kerzner, 2017).

Intellectual stimulation: how can the “fear factor” be removed to encourage challenges to the status quo?

Individual consideration: what is the vision and what strategies can be used to ensure it is “shared”?

Inspirational motivation: what strategies can be used to ensure team members have a strong sense of purpose?

Idealized influence: what values should be communicated to model ethical and socially desirable behaviors?

Mindset: how is an entrepreneurial mindset fostered, i.e., to identify opportunities, take educated risks, communicate ideas clearly, and learn from setbacks?

Decision-making environment: how can I better understand the culture of the department and larger organization? What are the preferred means and styles of communication? Why is it important to understand the culture?

Intellectual stimulation: in team meetings, ask mentees to challenge assumptions about the way things are always done. Also, empower your team by asking for the thoughts and ideas of all members, and encourage communication between mentees at different career stages.

Individual consideration: keep open lines of communication, recognize individual contributions, and ensure the professional development plan attends to the needs of the individual (Maestre, 2019).

Inspirational motivation: develop a shared culture that bonds the group (Tregoning and McDermott, 2020). This could include identifying a group name, designing a website, and branding activities such as developing a logo and a branded presentation template. You can also use a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) chart (Kendrick, 2013) to delegate key roles and responsibilities. Such responsibilities may include leading social media efforts, journals, clubs, or even lab meetings.

Idealized influence: model ethical and socially desirable behaviors and exhibit enthusiasm about the organization's strategy.

Mindset: part of this can be accomplished through readings [e.g., Growth Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Dweck, 2006)] and group discussion. Additionally, practice setting clear objectives, decisiveness, redefining failure as an opportunity to grow, facing fears (e.g., public speaking), and actively encouraging curiosity (Master Class, 2022).

Decision-making environment: as part of your appointment, you may be assigned mentors who are senior faculty within and/or outside your department. If you have not been assigned mentors, you may wish to seek such individuals yourself. These networks will be instrumental.

Research: what resources are available to assist with project management?

Professional Development: how do I plan professional development activities and keep each individual engaged?

Environment: what processes do we wish to implement to ensure the environment is most conducive to the planned activities?

Administrative: how do I obtain electronic credentials, learn about safety issues (e.g., ethical review), build an online profile, make purchases and recruit/hire?

Time: how do I schedule my time, and the time of the group, to ensure efficiency?

Research: several project management tools are available, including Microsoft Teams (Microsoft, 2022) and Asana (2022a). To map task roles and responsibilities, use Excel on an online platform such as Teamgantt (Harned, 2022) to build a RACI chart (Kendrick, 2013).

Professional Development: a Needs Analysis (Watkins et al., 2012; Bouchrika, 2022) can be used to identify opportunities for growth and an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to consolidate available resources, identify individual goals, and plan and prioritize key opportunities for growth (Vanderford et al., 2018; Seals, 2022a).

Environment: with respect to the research environment, Lean Philosophy can be used to optimize workflow (Womack and Jones, 2003). This includes placing the right things in the right place at the right time and in the right quantity to minimize waste, e.g., for a given project, place blood collection consumables in the most accessible place, the sharps container within easy reach, and ensure an obvious, unobstructed route to the site of blood processing.

Administration: when preparing to seek answers to the questions outlined above (and likely many others!), a checklist may be useful (McKinley et al., 2022). Then, to facilitate ongoing management, utilize a RACI chart (Kendrick, 2013; Hobin et al., 2014).

Time: time is our most precious commodity (Haynes et al., 2006). Try building a Gantt chart within Asana (2022b) or other open-source software (Rebiere and Rebiere, 2017; Goldstein and Avasthi, 2021). Identify periods of the day when tasks must be performed (e.g., teaching, research, service) and by whom. Outside of the must-do tasks, identify the period they are most “switched on,” organizing the most challenging and/or rewarding tasks around this block, then schedule tasks that are less challenging during low-energy periods (typically mid-afternoon) (Martin, 2011).

Infrastructure: what pre-existing infrastructure is available to support the key activities, e.g., laboratory space, administrative staff, funding mechanisms, etc.?

Equipment: what equipment is required to complete the key activities? What are the priority vs. non-priority equipment items?

People: what type of expertise is required to compliment the team? How many people are required? How do I recruit the right people?

Partner Networks: who do I need to reach out to support our key activities?

Infrastructure: audit the environment, seek mentorship, and attend info and training sessions offered by your institution (Goldstein and Avasthi, 2021).

Equipment: conduct a Requirements Analysis (Hay, 2003; Goldstein and Avasthi, 2021; Liston and Lesage, 2021) to better gauge the resources that will be required to effectively complete the key activities.

People: conduct a Needs Assessment to identify required tasks and goals, experience level and function (Watkins et al., 2012; Liston and Lesage, 2021; Bouchrika, 2022).

Partner Networks: start by identifying key societies, conferences, on campus activities and other outlets that offer structured networking opportunities (Schweitzer et al., 2019). Foster an environment within your group that encourages actively seeking out and communicating with potential collaborators. Additionally, invite potential collaborators to give a talk either in-person or virtually.

Fixed Costs: what are the minimum costs required to keep the research environment operating, e.g., basic supplies, salaries, assistantships, professional development, etc.?

Variable Costs: what are the costs associated with specific key activities, e.g., research project, publication, etc.?

Revenue Streams: what revenue streams are readily available to support baseline costs, e.g., department-supported laboratory budget, assistantships etc.? What revenue stream can I seek to support specific research projects, e.g., internal, federal, foundation or industry grants.?

Fixed Costs: speak with administrative staff within and outside your department to comprehend available resources and budget running costs.

Variable Costs: for funding applications, your institution will likely make available budget templates that include line items and calculate indirect costs.

Revenue Streams: familiarize yourself with your office of sponsored programs to learn about internal and external funding opportunities. Additionally, many funding agencies provide email postings about upcoming opportunities. Using these sources of information, develop a [dynamic] timeline and plan for funding opportunities to apply to Seals (2021).

Research: what difference do you wish to make through your research?

Education: what does a successful mentee graduating from your team look like?

Service: using your research and teaching experience, what novel contributions can you make to the community and to your field?

Impact: through the above solutions, what is the anticipated impact?

Research: when planning specific research projects, make it common practice to consider how/why the outcomes from the research will be applied. This doesn't necessarily mean immediate public impact—A discrete project may be important to your long-term research agenda.

Education: there is not a singular mentorship approach that will suit all mentees. However, an IDP can provide a structured approach to mentorship that aligns with the Value block.

Service: seek opportunities to engage with underserved populations, identify and give public talks, and become involved in societies within your field. However, if you are an early-stage faculty member, do not be afraid to protect your time (Rebiere and Rebiere, 2017; Goldstein and Avasthi, 2021). Focus on currencies of success (Seals, 2022a)—Opportunities that will benefit your career and through which you can have meaningful impact.

Impact: start with your Vision Statement, but then consider your specific research, education, and service activities.

Publications: through which outlets can your research findings be disseminated?

Practice: how can you directly influence current practices in your field and/or communities?

Public: what avenues can you explore to help your research endeavors have greater appeal?

Publications: focus on identifying journals that will reach your target audience—–and write to that audience. Also, develop writing strategies that will strengthen the quality of your prose and get you cited [tip: read Joshua Schimel's Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded (Schimel, 2011)]. Citation count and the impact of the published works are far more important than publication number—but this requires both high quality science and high-quality writing.

Practice: when designing research, have a clear goal in mind with respect to how the findings will be disseminated and utilized.

Public: identify suitable public forums, including public speaking and social Media outlets, e.g., use Twitter to disseminate research findings in a manner that your target audience (i.e., the population impacted by the research) can consume.