The EBR Implementation Guide: Part 3.2 – POC’s, POV’s, Trials

How should I go about running a Trial/POC/POV?
There are a few steps you should consider:

• Identify the Stakeholders
  Influencers and decision makers who you will need to support the EBR implementation. Consider getting them involved early on and ask them what they will need to know in order to support it, and build these into the trial as part of your objectives. At least have key Stakeholders visit the trial whilst it is underway.
• Define the objectives
  Create a short list of things you want to know and learn as a result of the trial. Make a checklist that the people involved in the trial will complete during and after to provide you with targeted feedback and other useful ideas they may have.
• Define the scope and plan
  Ensure the trial is tightly scoped so that you can achieve it in the time available. Make the time short to keep everyone focused on the trial and get to a decision quickly.
  ​Prepare a simple plan for the trial including training, check-in calls and wrap up. A good supplier should have a template plan that you can start with.
• Budget
  ​​What should you expect to pay for a trial? Can it be free? This depends on the scope of the trail. If you are simply getting access to the supplier demo area and using some pre-built content then a trial could be free for a short, defined period. ​However, if you want to use your own content such as a specific batch record/recipe, then you may need to pay the supplier to set this up. Basic training on the use of the software and a couple of check-in/wrap up meetings will also most likely be included for free.
• Resources
  Try to select people who will be objective about the change to an electronic system. You will need subject matter experts for your batch record authoring process, your batch execution process and your batch review process.
  One or two operators would be useful to include in the team. Appoint one person to take the lead on the trial, often this person will become your system super user.
  ​Have a least one senior stakeholder attend the trial kick-off and wrap-up meetings so that awareness on the plan and results is shared through the company.
• ​​Evaluation
  Use the checklist defined in the objective setting stage to form the basis of your evaluation and capture any feedback and learnings to share with the supplier and your wider team.

If you have done all the above then you should have a successful trial! If you want to test out the solution further then consider running a table-top pilot where you execute batch records in the eBR alongside a copy of your existing paper batch record.

You could then go on to run the EBR alongside actual batches running through your production facility. This will generate learning from the shop-floor and help you to prepare the end users for the full implementation.