As we approach annual performance reviews and strategic planning milestones, we invariably focus upon management systems and metrics.
One of the most important themes that we observe in R&D and patent departments is that leading organizations are shifting from measures of patent “throughput” to measures of patent quality.
How often do you hear the phrase “if we cannot measure it we cannot manage it”? Or, think about how your organizations (or your clients) consider IP issues too late in their processes?
Is it perhaps that we fall into the trap of experts seeking a fundamental answer (I.E., is this patent valid and infringed) while the better question is to find directional indicators and measurements that support focused review, collaborative inquiry, and the advantage of unique insights and perspectives into broader business processes and decisions.
