Research Program & Operations Assessment

Assess Your Department’s Strengths and Challenges

This assessment helps you reflect on how your unit is functioning, identify strengths and challenges, and consider opportunities to improve structure, processes, and workflows. It can also serve as the starting point for research administration consulting engagements.

It is ideal for both faculty leadership and research administrators, whose perspectives may differ but are both valuable. Completing it gives you a holistic view of how your department supports research.

All responses are strictly confidential and can be deleted upon request.

Assessment Terms (click to expand)

Terms and Conditions of Use for The Research Program & Operations Assessment

The Research Operations Assessment (the “Product”) is an assessment tool developed by S-Squared Systems, LLC, d.b.a. The Optimum Department (“Company”) to help academic research units evaluate operational maturity, leadership structures, staffing, compliance, and strategic readiness. The Product includes proprietary assessment questions, scoring models, interpretive content, and reporting materials (collectively, “Content”).

The Product and its Content are provided solely for informational and internal diagnostic purposes.

By accessing or using the Product, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

1. No Consulting, Legal, or Compliance Advice

The Product and its Content are provided for general informational and educational purposes only. The Company does not provide legal, compliance, or management consulting advice through this Product. Users should consult appropriate institutional, legal, or professional advisors for guidance relevant to their specific circumstances.

2. Intellectual Property and Use Restrictions

All Content within the Product—including assessment design, scoring logic, response language, analysis frameworks, and any accompanying reports—is the exclusive property of S-Squared Systems, LLC and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.

Users may not:

Copy, reproduce, distribute, or publicly display any portion of the Product or its reports without written permission.
Modify, adapt, or create derivative works based on the Product or its Content.
Use the Product or its outputs for commercial purposes, consulting engagements, or resale.
Share access credentials or distribute assessment materials beyond the authorized institution or individual license holder.

Limited internal use is permitted for authorized institutional evaluation, planning, or training purposes only.

3. Accuracy and Interpretation

The Product provides qualitative assessments and interpretive guidance based on user input. While care has been taken to ensure clarity and accuracy, the results are inherently subjective and depend on user responses. The Company does not guarantee specific outcomes or operational improvements. Users are responsible for interpreting and applying the information appropriately.

4. Limitation of Liability

The Company disclaims all liability for any decisions, actions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the Product or its Content. The Product is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. Use of the Product is at the user’s sole risk.

5. Access and Delivery

Access to the Product is provided electronically through a secure platform. Users are responsible for maintaining the technical environment necessary to access the Product. The Company is not liable for access issues arising from user-side technical limitations but will provide reasonable support for platform-related issues.

6. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Product, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms and Conditions of Use.
Your use of the Product is also subject to the Company’s Terms of Purchase and Privacy Policy.

Last Updated: October 8, 2025

© 2025 S-Squared Systems, LLC, d.b.a. The Optimum Department. All rights reserved.
The content and analyses in this report are proprietary and confidential. No portion may be copied, reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission.