When pharmaceutical sponsors hire RBQM consultants, they typically choose between two engagement models: Staff Augmentation (the consultant embeds with your team) or Solution Delivery (the consultant delivers a turnkey solution).
Neither model is inherently better—they solve different problems. Here's how to choose the right one.
Staff Augmentation: Embed an Expert with Your Team
In a staff augmentation engagement, the consultant works as an extension of your internal team. They use your tools (Medidata, Veeva, Oracle), follow your processes, and collaborate daily with your staff.
What Staff Augmentation Looks Like
- Consultant attends your daily standups and project meetings
- Works in your Medidata Detect or CluePoints instance
- Configures KRIs, builds dashboards, trains your team
- Provides ongoing support as issues arise
- Duration: 2 weeks to 12+ months
When to Choose Staff Augmentation
✅ You have existing RBQM tools but lack expertise
You've already licensed Medidata Detect or CluePoints, but your team doesn't know how to configure KRIs or build effective dashboards. A staff augmentation consultant can train your team while implementing the system.
✅ You need ongoing support, not a one-time deliverable
RBQM isn't a "set it and forget it" system. KRIs need tuning. Dashboards need updates. Teams need coaching. Staff augmentation provides continuous support throughout the trial lifecycle.
✅ You want to build internal RBQM capabilities
If your goal is to develop in-house RBQM expertise, staff augmentation is ideal. Your team learns by working alongside the consultant, building skills they can apply to future trials.
✅ Your project scope is evolving
Early-phase trials often have shifting requirements. Staff augmentation gives you flexibility—the consultant adapts as your needs change, without renegotiating contracts.
Pricing Model
Hourly or weekly rates: $150-$300/hour depending on experience
Contract types: C2C (Corp-to-Corp) or W2 (employee status)
Typical engagement: 20-40 hours/week for 3-12 months
Solution Delivery: Get a Turnkey Package
In a solution delivery engagement, the consultant delivers a complete, documented package with minimal client involvement. You define the scope upfront, and the consultant returns with the finished product.
What Solution Delivery Looks Like
- Kickoff meeting to define scope and requirements
- Consultant works independently (minimal client time required)
- Mid-project review to validate direction
- Final delivery: complete documentation, dashboards, training materials
- Handover session to transfer knowledge
- Duration: 2-8 weeks
When to Choose Solution Delivery
✅ You have a well-defined, one-time project
"Build an R Shiny dashboard for our Phase III oncology trial" or "Create a validation package for our Medidata Rave database." Clear scope, fixed deliverables—perfect for solution delivery.
✅ You want predictable pricing
Solution delivery uses fixed-price contracts. You know the total cost upfront—no surprises. This makes budgeting easier for finance teams.
✅ Your internal team is stretched thin
Solution delivery requires minimal client involvement—just a kickoff, mid-project review, and handover. If your team can't dedicate time to daily collaboration, this model works better.
✅ You need audit-ready documentation
Solution delivery includes complete documentation: validation protocols, test scripts, user guides, SOPs. Everything is audit-ready and FDA/EMA-compliant.
Pricing Model
Fixed-price packages: $15K-$75K depending on scope
Example packages:
- • RBQM Plan + KRI Framework: $15K-$25K
- • Custom R Shiny Dashboard: $25K-$50K
- • Database Validation Package: $30K-$75K
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Staff Augmentation | Solution Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Ongoing support, team training | One-time projects, fixed deliverables |
| Duration | 2 weeks - 12+ months | 2-8 weeks |
| Pricing | Hourly/weekly ($150-$300/hr) | Fixed-price ($15K-$75K) |
| Tools Used | Your existing platforms | Consultant's choice (delivered to you) |
| Client Involvement | High (daily collaboration) | Low (kickoff, review, handover) |
| Knowledge Transfer | Continuous (team learns by doing) | Formal handover session |
| Deliverables | Configured systems, trained team | Complete documentation package |
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Many sponsors use a hybrid model: start with solution delivery for the initial build, then transition to staff augmentation for ongoing support.
Example: Phase III Oncology Trial
This hybrid approach gives you the speed of solution delivery with the ongoing support of staff augmentation.
The Bottom Line
Choose staff augmentation if you need ongoing support, want to build internal capabilities, or have evolving requirements.
Choose solution delivery if you have a well-defined project, want predictable pricing, or need minimal client involvement.