Strategies for Effective Global Market Access and Pricing for Immunotherapy Products: A Guide for Market Access Operations Leads

Introduction

As the role of the Global Market Access Operations Lead becomes increasingly complex in the dynamic landscape of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, it is essential to adopt a robust approach to process management. Process management in this context refers to the conscientious design, monitoring, and enhancement of routine tasks and activities that facilitate effective market access and pricing strategies for immunotherapeutic products.

In the day-to-day functioning of a Global Market Access Operations Lead, process management signifies a commitment to ensuring that all sequences of actions, from budget coordination and contract negotiations to the orchestration of digital communication tools, are performed with precision and alignment to the overarching goals of the organization.

For an ambitious young professional, the position of Global Market Access Operations Lead offers a fertile ground for personal and professional growth in market access, operations, or the digital space. The holder of this role is tasked with the responsibility of guiding the immunology portfolio through the complexities of global marketing strategies and execution, liaising with cross-functional teams, and managing digital innovation within the market access framework.

The operations lead is pivotal to coordinating the budgetary and contracting needs of various assets, ensuring readiness for best-in-class launch execution, and fostering coherent connections between global strategies and local implementation. Beyond these responsibilities, the role also involves crafting and supervising digital platforms and tools tailored for both internal coordination and external customer engagement.

The effectiveness of these processes requires the lead to champion consistent governance across various brands, as well as to drive initiatives aimed at optimizing overall operational effectiveness for the market access team. From establishing efficient workflows to equipping the team with cutting-edge tools and capabilities, the Global Market Access Operations Lead stands at the forefront of operational excellence.

Furthermore, as part of the overarching responsibility to support the Head of Immunology Global Market Access & Pricing, the role underscores the importance of capability building and represents the market access team in all initiatives aimed at honing operational effectiveness within the organization. Through this integrative and proactive approach, process management becomes the cornerstone of successful global market access for immunotherapeutic products.

KanBo: When, Why and Where to deploy as a Process Management tool

What is KanBo?

KanBo is a comprehensive process management and collaboration tool designed to facilitate efficient task organization, transparent workflow visualization, and effective communication within teams. It leverages a hierarchical structure consisting of Workspaces, Folders, Spaces, and Cards to help manage projects and daily operations meticulously.

Why should a Global Market Access Operations Lead use KanBo?

A Global Market Access Operations Lead should use KanBo to:

1. Maintain clear oversight of multiple projects and tasks.

2. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements through KanBo’s data management capabilities.

3. Streamline communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams, essential for market access dynamics.

4. Enhance decision-making through real-time data and progress tracking.

5. Customize workflows to fit the unique processes of global market operations.

When is KanBo most useful for a Global Market Access Operations Lead?

KanBo is most useful when:

1. Coordinating complex global market access strategies across different regions and teams.

2. Managing document flows and approvals, which are critical for regulatory compliance.

3. Tracking the progress of market access initiatives and adapting to changes swiftly.

4. Aligning cross-functional teams on shared goals and objectives.

5. Onboarding new team members and ensuring they understand workflow processes.

Where can a Global Market Access Operations Lead implement KanBo?

KanBo can be implemented across various scenarios, including:

1. Remote and in-office environments, thanks to its hybrid cloud and on-premises solutions.

2. International and local market access teams, facilitating coordination despite geographical barriers.

3. Securely within IT environments that require stringent data protection measures.

Why should a Global Market Access Operations Lead use KanBo as a Process Management tool?

A Global Market Access Operations Lead should use KanBo as a Process Management tool because it:

1. Provides an integrated view of all processes and tasks, improving transparency and accountability.

2. Offers robust integration with other Microsoft products, enhancing productivity within familiar environments.

3. Enables customization of workflows to align with the specific requirements of global market access operations.

4. Supports seamless communication and collaboration, essential for navigating the complexities of global markets.

5. Allows for effective monitoring and management of project timelines and deliverables, which is crucial for successful market entry and access.

How to work with KanBo as a Process Management tool

As a Global Market Access Operations Lead, using KanBo as a Process Management tool can help you strategically optimize processes, enhance cross-functional collaboration, and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Below are instructions tailored to optimize your processes using KanBo:

1. Define Clear Process Objectives:

- Purpose: To ensure that the process management efforts are directly contributing to your organization's strategic objectives.

- Why: Clear objectives provide a focused direction for the processes and enable the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.

2. Map Existing Processes in KanBo:

- Purpose: To create a visual representation of the current workflow and identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.

- Why: Process mapping unveils the true nature of the workflow, enabling you to pinpoint and address inefficiencies effectively.

3. Set Up Process Workspaces in KanBo:

- Purpose: To organize and manage all process-related activities in dedicated areas grouped by functions, markets, or product lines.

- Why: Workspaces serve as centralized hubs for collaboration and ensure that process management activities are kept separate from project-specific efforts.

4. Create Custom Workflow Spaces:

- Purpose: To tailor the KanBo Spaces in a way that mirrors the specific stages of each business process.

- Why: Custom workflows accommodate the unique nature of each process, allowing team members to track progress and ensure adherence to process steps.

5. Utilize Cards for Tasks and Processes:

- Purpose: To assign discrete tasks and stages of a process to KanBo Cards, including information such as responsible parties, deadlines, and details.

- Why: Cards hold critical details and facilitate efficient task management, providing accountability and visibility into each process step.

6. Implement Process Metrics with Card Statistics:

- Purpose: To use KanBo's card statistics features to track key metrics, such as completion times and throughput rates.

- Why: Monitoring these metrics allows for data-driven process optimization and ensures continuous improvement efforts are focused on impactful areas.

7. Use the Gantt Chart View for Process Timeline Visualization:

- Purpose: To leverage the Gantt Chart view for overseeing time-sensitive aspects of the processes and ensuring deadlines are met.

- Why: Visual timelines enable better planning, resource allocation, and anticipation of potential delays or conflicts in the process.

8. Regularly Review Process Efficiency:

- Purpose: To periodically assess your business processes within KanBo using reporting tools like Forecast Chart view.

- Why: Regular reviews help identify trends, make informed decisions based on actual process performance, and continuously refine processes for optimal results.

9. Foster Collaborative Process Improvement:

- Purpose: To encourage team members to contribute ideas for process improvements directly within relevant KanBo Cards and Spaces.

- Why: A collaborative approach to process management harnesses collective insights and experiences, leading to innovation and enhanced process designs.

10. Automate Routine Tasks with KanBo:

- Purpose: To automate standard, repetitive tasks within processes to increase efficiency and accuracy.

- Why: Automation minimizes manual intervention, allowing the workforce to focus on higher-value activities and reducing the risk of human errors.

11. Monitor and Adjust Process Flows:

- Purpose: To use KanBo's Card relation and Blocker features to quickly respond to changes, removing obstacles and updating process steps.

- Why: Agile process management ensures that processes remain dynamic and responsive to changes in the business environment or market demands.

12. Train and Onboard Team Members:

- Purpose: To provide comprehensive training sessions for team members on using KanBo effectively for process management.

- Why: Ensuring that all team members are proficient with KanBo functions and features is essential for the successful adoption and consistent application of process management strategies.

By following these steps with their intended purposes and understanding the reasons behind them, you can leverage KanBo to maximize process optimization, reduce inefficiencies, and align operational processes with the long-term strategic goals of your organization.

Glossary and terms

Glossary of Terms:

1. Process Management: A systematic approach to managing and optimizing an organization's business processes to improve efficiency and alignment with strategic goals.

2. Global Market Access: Strategies and operations involved in introducing and establishing a product in international markets, navigating regulatory, pricing, and reimbursement challenges.

3. Operations Lead: A professional responsible for overseeing, designing, and controlling the process of production and redesigning business operations in the production of goods or services.

4. Collaboration Tool: Software that helps individuals work together on projects and tasks, regardless of their physical location, by providing a shared digital space for communication, document sharing, and workflow management.

5. Workspace: A segment of a collaboration tool where related projects, teams, or topics are organized together for easy navigation and collaboration.

6. Space: In the context of a collaboration tool, a space is a collection of related tasks, often within a project, where workflow can be visualized, and tasks can be managed.

7. Card: An item within a collaboration tool that represents an individual task or other actionable item, containing details such as notes, attachments, and deadlines.

8. Card Status: An indicator that shows the current phase or stage of a card, such as "To Do," "In Progress," or "Completed."

9. Card Activity Stream: A log displaying all updates and actions related to a card, providing transparency and traceability for team members.

10. Card Blocker: A reported issue or obstacle attached to a card that is preventing progress on that task.

11. Card Grouping: The organization of cards based on criteria such as status, owner, or deadline, to aid in efficient task management.

12. Card Issue: Any problem or impediment with a card that affects its progress or resolution.

13. Card Relation: The dependency link between cards, such as parent-child relationships, that helps organize tasks and clarify the order of completion.

14. Card Statistics: Analytical data provided about a card's progress and history to give insight into its lifecycle and efficiency.

15. Dates in Cards: Refers to the various time-related terms assigned to tasks within a card, such as start dates, end dates, and reminders.

16. Forecast Chart View: A predictive visual tool in project management that outlines the projected timeline and estimates completion based on past performance.

17. Gantt Chart View: A visual representation of a project timeline, showing the duration of tasks plotted across time, enabling clear planning and tracking of work.

18. Grouping: The act of organizing related tasks or items, often within a collaboration tool, to facilitate management and oversight.

19. List: A feature found in collaboration tools used for categorization within a workspace or space, allowing for better organization of tasks or items.