How would you define the success of ProQuest's Dissertations & Theses Global collection?

Introduction

Defining the success of ProQuest's Dissertations & Theses Global collection requires a comprehensive approach that considers multiple stakeholders and metrics. This digital library of academic research is a critical resource for scholars, institutions, and the broader research community. To effectively measure its success, we'll need to consider usage, content quality, accessibility, and business sustainability.

I'll follow a structured framework covering product context, success metrics hierarchy, and strategic initiatives to provide a holistic view of how we can define and measure the success of this vital academic resource.

Step 1

Product Context

ProQuest's Dissertations & Theses Global collection is a comprehensive digital library of dissertations and theses from around the world. It serves as a central repository for graduate research, offering access to millions of works across various disciplines.

Key stakeholders include:

1. Academic researchers and students: Seeking access to cutting-edge research and historical works
2. Universities and libraries: Providing access to their patrons and contributing their institution's research
3. ProQuest: Maintaining and expanding the collection while ensuring business sustainability
4. Publishers and copyright holders: Ensuring proper use and attribution of their content

User flow typically involves:

1. Search: Users enter keywords, author names, or topics to find relevant works
2. Browse: Users explore categories, institutions, or time periods
3. Access: Users view abstracts, download full texts (where available), or request copies
4. Cite: Users generate citations or export metadata for reference management

This product fits into ProQuest's broader strategy of being a leading provider of academic resources and research tools. It complements their other offerings like ebooks, journals, and databases, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for scholarly research.

Compared to competitors like EBSCO's Open Dissertations or institutional repositories, ProQuest's collection stands out for its global scope, historical depth, and comprehensive coverage across disciplines.

In terms of product lifecycle, the Dissertations & Theses Global collection is in a mature stage but continues to evolve with the addition of new content and features to meet changing research needs and technological advancements.