time strategic and yet have to resolve a multitude of technical issues. However, the members of the team represent each function and are not generally expected to know every technical detail of their particular department's role. If one takes, as an example, the Clinical representatives, behind them are a number of other disciplines, e.g., statistics, data handling, whom they are expected to represent at team meetings (see Fig. 1).
To be effective, project group members need the following attributes:
broad understanding of the drug development process;
good appreciation of the role of their function in the development program and the role of the supporting functions in their area;
a broad understanding of the product and the technical issues likely to arise during the course of the project;
good communication and networking skills;
FIG. 1
Core product development team and supporting functions.
