Advancing biomechanics laboratories capabilities: A proposed framework for in-house technology development

Abstract

Background: Technological advancements have generated more opportunities to develop/distribute custom data analysis codes (e.g., automated events, biomechanical models, etc.). Industry standards for the code development process is regularly modeled to ensure product quality and usability. Procedural project management improves efficiency of the code development process by monitoring project planning, duration, analysis, success, and maintenance. The purpose of this study was to outline in the form of guidance to research labs, a framework that standardizes the development, management, testing, and documentation of various types of data analysis codes, utilized in the motion analysis laboratory setting.

Methods: This brief report outlines the workflow, briefly highlights its success a year after implementation, and provides a framework that can be adopted across laboratories of different sizes and those involved in multi-center collaborative studies. Specifically, the workflow outlined is initiated when a requestor has identified the need for a custom data analysis code. The workflow is complete and the code is released once the results of testing performed by a non-affiliated user, verifies that the code project workflow was followed appropriately, confirms a standard operating procedure has been finalized, and ensures the requestor and additional end-users are satisfied with the final product.

Findings: Guidance documents and optimization of workflows are imperative for motion analysis laboratories managing numerous coding projects.

Interpretation: Implementation of the proposed framework is an effective approach to reduce workload, by minimizing redundancies, maximizing on the research team's expertise and promotes collaborative input which in turn allows for feedback along the process.

Keywords: Code development; Laboratory; Project management; Quality assurance; Usability.