Figure 1: NIH High-Level Business Model
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NIH High-Level Business Model
This model is important, because it is the broadest statement of requirements for IT at NIH. It describes three "value streams" and a set of sustaining services.
The three "value streams" create the NIH research agenda and annual budget request; create the new biomedical knowledge that fulfills the NIH Mission; and consolidate biomedical knowledge to reach consensus about new or modified health practices.
The sustaining services provide the people, facilities, consumables, information, and financial management needed to support the "value streams."
Create the Research Agenda
At the level of this model three important functions compose this "value stream".
The first is the collection and assimilation of stakeholder input. Many people strive to influence the research that NIH will sponsor and conduct. This step consolidates those diverse voices into a manageable form.
The second function creates a research agenda for the immediate future. This step produces both a research agenda and a set of opportunity announcements for the research community.
Finally, the results of the first two functions are used to prepare the annual NIH budget request to be submitted to HHS, which is ultimately considered by Congress.
Create New Biomedical Knowledge
Creating new biomedical knowledge is accomplished in three ways: the intramural program, the extramural program, and contract research.
In the diagram, intramural research and contract research have no further breakdown. The former because it is currently out of scope for the NIH Enterprise Architecture, and the latter because the models for it have not been developed yet.
The extramural program, depicted here as "receipt, referral, review, award, administration and closeout" has been studied in some detail. Additional information can be found in more detailed models, and more will be published in the future. For example, see the Receipt to Review Business Model.
Consolidate Biomedical Knowledge
The third "value stream" works on aggregating the new knowledge that is created through research, so that it can be known to others who are interested. The new knowledge is also used to build consensus around new behaviors and therapies to improve health.
Sustaining Services
Operating the "value streams" requires a number of support services (such as Human Resources). These have been described in terms of their purpose (e.g the Human Resources function has the purpose of Managing Human Capital).
In this diagram the sustaining services are grouped in a box without direct connection to the "value streams." The connections are omitted, because the services generally support all of the functions. The connections would only clutter the diagram.
Continuous Improvement
Since the business processes as represented in the NIH Business Architecture are the requirements for IT systems that support NIH, OCITA actively seeks comments on changes or improvements.
If you have any comments please contact us.
