The power of change management in technology platforms
“Being prepared to adapt and change according to organizational need is essential but managing change can be challenging for everyone. The paper was written to support colleagues throughout the life of a core facility, based on lessons from our shared experience. It is not prescriptive. Instead it provides a context-agnostic framework managers can use to help navigate through complex situations,” said Danielle Hoyle, Head of Research Operations & Deputy Director of Operations at The Babraham Institute and co-chair of the EU-LIFE Core Facilities Working Group (CF WG).
EU-LIFE is an alliance of 17 independent research institutes in the life sciences that includes the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin. The CF WG was established in 2015 to create a forum to discuss the challenges of core facilities or technology platforms.
Core facilities or technology platforms are centralized resources in research institutions providing cutting-edge technology and expertise to a broad range of users. One of their defining characteristics is the constant need to adapt to a changing context conditioned by technological and scientific developments, economic factors and a fluctuating internal demand, among others.
Recommendations for the core facility life cycle
Consequently, institutional and facility management has been a focus of discussion and practice sharing in the CF WG. This exchange led to the publication of a set of principles and recommendations for the core facility lifecycle with the aim to support organizations through these processes. The document describes the phases and relevant considerations in key life cycle phases, from the first idea, through planning, implementing, running, consolidating and even closing a facility.
Following up those guidelines, a group of CF WG members authored a paper that was published in the journal “EMBO reports.” The paper presents an in-depth analysis of how change management methods can be used institutionally to successfully adapt core facilities, and includes three case studies from EU-LIFE member institutes:
- how CEITEC repurposed a facility declining in use (Czech Republic);
- how VIB met the increasing demand for bioinformatics analysis (Belgium); and
- how the Babraham Institute dealt with a financially unsustainable DNA sequencer (UK).
Dr. Jutta Steinkötter, executive manager of the technology platforms at the Max Delbrück Center and co-author of the paper, adds: “It was wonderful and rewarding to exchange and compile experiences and best-practices with colleagues managing core facilities across Europe. Our technology platforms at the Max Delbrück Center enable technology-driven discoveries and are at the heart of scientific progress. As we are embracing the Strategy 2030 vision and develop the future research profile of our center, we continue to support change and adaptation, new developments and technologies, which will drive innovation. With a strong focus on change management, we can empower our teams, strengthen collaboration, and develop opportunities to fuel discoveries.”
Further information
Literature
EU-LIFE Core Facilities Working Group (2025): “Unlocking Success. The power of change management in core facilities.” EMBO reports, DOI: 10.1038/s44319-025-00445-1
