The research costing tool (RCT) project aims to improve the University’s ability to accurately cost research activity and will allow staff to model costs throughout the lifecycle of a research project. After a successful procurement process utilising user requirements, we identified a supplier called BlackDackel to develop the costing tool with us.

Project update

Currently we are working on the integration with Pure.  The project is focusing on mirroring data fields in BlackDackel and Pure ensuring that the minimum data migrates from one system to the other.

Pricing templates have been created in BlackDackel now and are going through testing. This will be completed by creating test budgets in the system and validating them again expected budget outcomes.

Forthcoming developments

• Training programme – a training programme is being developed to include guidance material and training videos.
• Configuration – many elements in BlackDackel are configurable to UoM requirements. These elements have been identified and work will commence on collating how the UoM elements should be completed in the tool.

How to become involved

We are still accepting academic representatives to be part of the RCT project board. This will comprise of attending a regular 1 hour meeting and act in an advisory role for potential changes and decisions.

We will also be sending out a call for testers in the upcoming months to help with validation testing once a full test has been completed. Please keep your eye out for further communications with voluntary testing opportunities. 

Launch

The team are working towards launch dates, yet to be agreed. We hope to complete our User Acceptance Testing (UAT) in July/August 2020, which is dependent on the integration working seamlessly and all testing and training having been completed prior to launch.

Find out more about the Research Costing Tool project and how it will benefit you:

• Research Costing Tool: How will it help me?

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