{"id":1528,"date":"2019-02-07T11:59:05","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T16:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/intranet\/era\/?p=1528"},"modified":"2019-02-07T11:59:05","modified_gmt":"2019-02-07T16:59:05","slug":"animal-care-and-use-module-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.ncsu.edu\/era\/animal-care-and-use-module-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Animal Care and Use Module Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s Happened Since Our Last Update<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been longer than we like since our last update<\/a> \u2014 but it’s not because anyone\u2019s been taking a break. Since the initial module prototype\u2019s completion in early fall, the Animal Care and Use Module Team has been hard at work with InfoEd representatives, making a number of improvements to the software and ensuring its final configuration best suits NC State. <\/span><\/p>\n

Over the past few months, the Animal Care and Use Module has been through multiple revision cycles, with the modifications gradually shifting from major changes (e.g. workflows, user roles) to relatively minor ones (e.g. question sequencing, text formatting). Because, in this case, the users are shifting from using downloadable Microsoft Word forms to pre-formatted ones, the revision process has provided both novel challenges and opportunities. <\/span><\/p>\n

While it\u2019s generally important to mirror the current processes as closely as possible, in this case many things simply cannot stay the same. For instance, not every question on a form can be essentially free-response, as is the case with a Microsoft Word form. Though this could occasionally prove challenging, at the same time, the nature of this transition has allowed for an especially exciting opportunity for innovation and improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final and arguably most important step in the revision process is user acceptance testing (UAT) \u2014 when end-users ensure the system performs as intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout January, every module team member was invited to participate in UAT sessions in which they were divided into audience groups and given the opportunity to interact with and provide feedback on the module. For some, it was the first opportunity to see and use the new system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where We Are Now and What\u2019s on the Horizon<\/b><\/p>\n

Small-group UAT sessions will gradually shift into system training for superusers \u2014 aka system administrators \u2014 and the key staff who will begin using the system immediately and be instrumental in helping others learn how to use it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once this process is complete, the final** revisions are made, and the module is deemed ready for campuswide use, training for larger audiences will begin \u2014 in preparation for the go-live date.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the go-live date becomes official, we will notify campus; however, early adopters should begin watching for email updates regarding upcoming training opportunities, some of which have already been sent. To be clear, training will be offered several ways, including online content and just-in-time resources, so that all learners\u2019 needs will be accommodated. <\/span>We will share more information about training opportunities as soon as we can. Watch the ERA website<\/a> and this blog.<\/span><\/p>\n

**Please keep in mind that the system will be highly configurable throughout its lifetime and a number of improvements and regular updates will be made as needed.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Meet the Animal Care and Use Module Team<\/b><\/p>\n

As the fine-tuning takes place and the final preparations are being made, we\u2019d like to introduce you to the members of Animal Care and Use Module Team, beginning with a few who\u2019ve been around since the start and agreed to be featured.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Judy Schledorn<\/b>: Functional Lead, Central Office Representative<\/b><\/p>\n

IACUC Director Judy Schledorn has been a member of the IACUC Office at NC State since 1994, and she has been an employee of the university for over three decades. On top of her wealth of experience managing an IACUC office, Schledorn is also a Certified <\/span>Professional in IACUC Administration (CPIA).<\/span> As such, she is a subject matter expert in <\/span>not only regulations and policies but also the current thinking in the larger IACUC administration community, through networking and continuing education.<\/span><\/p>\n

To help keep the process on track, Schledorn actually took on two roles for much of this module\u2019s implementation process. In addition to providing the invaluable knowledge and perspectives of a seasoned compliance administrator, Schledorn performed many of the responsibilities of the module team\u2019s functional lead*** \u2014 the person responsible for liaising between the system users, who define requirements, and the technical team, who are responsible for getting those requirements into the system. <\/span><\/p>\n

***Two functional business analysts \u2014 one who will take over the duties of functional lead on all future compliance modules (e.g. Conflict of Interest, Human Subjects), and one who will take the lead on Sponsored Programs \u2014 were hired in January 2019. We plan to officially introduce these two, and the other recently hired members of our now-fully staffed ERA Project Team, in a future blog post, better-explaining everyone\u2019s role.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Rusty Earl<\/b>: IT Lead<\/b><\/p>\n

ERA Development Manager Rusty Earl joined NC State as an employee, in 2005, a few years after earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in computer science from the College of Engineering in order to make a career change. And for three of his nearly 14 years as an employee here, Earl worked directly with Peter Schledorn \u2014 the former director of research administration IT who designed and built RADAR and PINS.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Peter Schledorn retired in September 2017, Earl took over as interim director for about a year, before transitioning into working on the ERA Project full-time as ERA development manager. As ERA development manager, Earl manages the technical side of the ERA Project Team, primarily responsible for determining how to make the necessary revisions to the module \u2014 whether handling them in-house or forwarding them up the chain of command and potentially on to InfoEd.<\/span><\/p>\n

With his unparalleled experience working with the existing systems, plus an already substantial understanding of the new system and its capabilities, Earl has been, and will continue to be, pivotal to this project\u2019s success.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gabriel McKeon, DVM<\/b>: University Attending Veterinarian <\/b><\/p>\n

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Dr. Gabriel McKeon has served as NC State\u2019s attending veterinarian since 2013, and has over a decade of experience in his field.<\/span><\/p>\n

As NC State\u2019s attending veterinarian, one of McKeon\u2019s primary concerns is compliance issues related to veterinary care and programmatic oversight. His interaction with the system will mostly consist of protocol review. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, as someone who also has experience submitting protocols \u2014 in addition to reviewing them \u2014 McKeon is able to provide valuable feedback from both perspectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below is the complete roster of the Animal Care and Use Module Team:<\/span><\/p>\n