Key Result Area Operations

This schedule outlines the portfolio of programs for APSRU, how these programs relate to the agreed key result areas, and the main features associated with functional aspects of the programs. 

Key Result Areas

The four research key result areas for APSRU are –

KRA1 - improved sustainability of agricultural systems via systems research in rural business systems

KRA2 - improved sustainability of landscapes by farm and catchment level research

KRA3 - improved organism design for productive and sustainable systems

KRA4 - state-of-the art systems research tools and methodologies, particularly crop, cropping system and farm simulation platforms

Portfolio of Programs

The initial portfolio of programs for APSRU is -  

KRA 1 – Sustainable Agricultural Systems

1.1          Production system design (paddocks over short and long term)

1.2          Whole farm management (farm scale issues)

1.3          Agribusiness management (agribusiness issues at range of scale)

KRA 2 – Sustainable Landscapes

2.1           Linking farm and catchment (catchment hydrology and salinity issues)

2.2           Linking farm and landscape (ecosystem services and habitat issues)

KRA 3 – Organism Design for Productivity and Sustainability

3.1        Matching organisms to environment (crop improvement issues)

KRA 4 – Modelling Tools

4.1       Software engineering (APSIM and other tools)

Principles/Features of Operation

The programs are clusters of projects and staff involved in those projects.  An individual may thus operate in more than one program.

The project remains the basic unit of operation.  Project concepts should be discussed and developed openly among program staff.  Resource allocation and project supervision issues (among partners) should be discussed openly so that resource flows are managed in an equitable way that meets organisational realities.

Each program would have a program co-ordinator who would have a communication and facilitation role for staff and projects in that program.  The major responsibility of the program co-ordinator would be overseeing project development in that program by facilitating interaction among relevant staff.

The program co-ordinators will be part of the APSRU Management Committee (AMC).  The AMC has responsibility for the overall portfolio of APSRU projects within programs and progression of projects for APSRU Board approval.  

The AMC has a moderating role in relation to operation and coordination of the program system and must deal transparently with any problems that might arise among partners, such as

·        need to allow for disagreement in approach without disengagement

·        entry and exit triggers for staff of core partners

·        managing resource flows among core partners (while taking account of organisational requirements)

·        perceived quality/capability of staff suggested for collaborative projects

·        project proposal deadlines usurping consultative process in programs