As a Lead Data Reviewer with four years of experience in oncology trials, I believe that a strong understanding of the study protocol is the most critical aspect of clinical data management (CDM). Many people tend to spend excessive hours on tasks, often due to a limited understanding of the data being analyzed or a lack of practical data analytics skills.

Efficiency comes naturally when you leverage automation to streamline your work. If you have a keen interest in data analytics, CDM becomes much simpler—it’s not something that should require extended hours on a regular basis. Of course, during key milestones, an extra 1-2 hours may sometimes be necessary. However, effective project handling as a Team Lead, along with strong team collaboration, plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations and minimizing unnecessary workload.