Embedding Standards Expertise: A Flexible Consulting Approach Over Full‑Time Hires

Breaking: Veteran Standards Expert Proposes Internal, Time‑Bound Strategy to Boost Healthcare Interoperability

A seasoned consultant with a new practice is urging health‑tech teams to embed interoperability expertise within product groups rather than rely on a standalone, full‑time position. The proposal centers on a time‑bound engagement designed to transfer practical standards mastery to the team while delivering robust, future‑proof implementation.

The advocate, who recently launched Moehrke Research LLC, argues that true interoperability is built on the work of a product team from within. The suggested model envisions a standards specialist acting as a core member-likely a systems architect or database architect-rather than a separate hire dedicated to a single function.

What the engagement looks like

key elements of the proposal include a medium‑scale engagement lasting roughly six to nine months, totaling about six hundred to one thousand hours. The work woudl be paced over several phases, starting with a close collaboration between the standards expert and the product team, and gradually integrating hands‑on training and knowledge transfer.

Roles under consideration commonly include titles such as FHIR Architect, Lead Data Modeler (FHIR), FHIR Interoperability Specialist, Senior IT solutions Architect, and healthcare Solution Architect. While the candidate fits these expectations, the emphasis is on a sustained, embedded contribution rather than a traditional full‑time appointment.

How the transfer of knowledge would unfold

The plan includes elevating one or two product‑team members into the new obligation, with compensation aligned to the added duties. A test engineer would join the effort, supporting practical validation. The consultant outlines a structured learning path to equip the team to:

• Identify relevant standards and how to read them
• Extract requirements and identify viable alternatives
• Source help, open‑source resources, and testing tools
• Apply Postel’s Law for robust interoperability
• Contribute to standard enhancement and dispute interpretations when needed
• Balance creative approaches with disciplined adherence to standards

the proposal envisions ongoing mentorship at a pace of 2-3 days per week for several months, tapering to periodic engagement and occasional check‑ins over the remainder of the period. In total, the consultancy would deliver 600-1,000 hours of guidance, with the client walking away empowered to sustain progress independently.

A sustainable, “build from within” approach

The author argues that the job postings in interoperability frequently enough demand an almost unfeasible depth of experience. The reality, he notes, is that a relatively small, highly skilled cohort has spent decades shaping this field. The key takeaway is not to outsource interoperability as a product strategy but to anchor it inside the team that builds the product.

Interoperability should be the foundation on which a product is built-not the generic mission statement for a breakthrough feature. Standards are the backbone for practical, scalable health‑tech solutions, and training internal staff to leverage them is presented as the most durable path forward. The author also notes that HL7 certifications, while useful, are better viewed as enhancements for team members who already carry cross‑functional responsibilities.

Conclusion: Culture and capability over standalone roles

across large health tech organizations, the balance between full‑time roles and embedded capability remains a challenge. The proposed model argues that sustainable progress comes from cultivating inside‑team expertise and fostering a culture that prioritizes standards‑driven development. The underlying message is clear: building a team from within, supported by targeted expertise, leads to stronger interoperability outcomes for the long term.

Aspect	details
Primary aim	Embed standards expertise into product teams to ensure robust, long‑lasting interoperability
Engagement length	Approximately 6-9 months
Hours of guidance	600-1,000 hours total
Team changes	One or two product‑team members elevated; a test engineer included
Key outcomes	Team capable of discovering, interpreting, and applying standards; improved collaboration with open‑source resources

Evergreen takeaways for health‑tech leaders

• Embed interoperability expertise within product teams to accelerate practical implementation.
• Invest in targeted, time‑bound mentoring rather than pursuing a perpetual standalone role.
• Pair standards training with hands‑on product work to translate theory into measurable results.
• Use a structured learning path that covers discovery, interpretation, and enforcement of standards.
• Balance innovation with strict adherence to established standards to ensure reliability and future compatibility.

Reader questions

What impact would an inside‑the‑team standards expert have on your health‑tech workflow? Are there organizational barriers that could hinder this model?

Share your experiences or concerns in the comments below. How would you adapt this approach for your team’s size and goals?

for further reading on health data standards and interoperability practices, explore this overview of FHIR and related standards from trusted health‑tech authorities.

Why Flexible Consulting Beats Full‑Time Hires

Understanding Standards Expertise

Standardization is teh backbone of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across industries.Weather it’s ISO 9001 for quality management, IEC 62443 for industrial cybersecurity, or the latest ESG reporting frameworks, an expert who lives and breathes these standards can translate complex requirements into actionable processes.

• core competencies include gap analysis, documentation advancement, audit readiness, and continuous enhancement planning.
• Industry‑specific knowledge (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for life sciences, GDPR for data privacy) ensures that compliance is not just a checkbox but a competitive advantage.

Why Flexible Consulting Beats Full‑Time Hires

1. Cost predictability – Consulting contracts are typically scoped per project or retainer, eliminating salary, benefits, and training overhead.
2. Immediate expertise – Seasoned consultants bring years of cross‑sector experience,reducing ramp‑up time compared with a newly hired full‑time specialist.
3. Strategic focus – Organizations can align consulting resources with peak demand periods (e.g.,pre‑audit,product launch) rather than maintaining a permanent bench.

Cost and Resource Efficiency

• Hourly or outcome‑based pricing allows budgets to scale with actual work completed.
• No recruitment risk – Eliminates the uncertainty of talent acquisition, especially for niche standards where the talent pool is limited.
• Reduced turnover impact – Consulting contracts end with the project, avoiding knowledge loss when an employee departs.

Scalability and Speed to Market

• Rapid mobilization – Consulting firms frequently enough have ready‑to‑deploy teams that can start within days.
• Flex‑team model – Add or subtract expertise (e.g., adding a cybersecurity standards specialist mid‑project) without the administrative burden of hiring or layoffs.
• Parallel workstreams – Consultants can work alongside internal teams, accelerating compliance milestones and product releases.

Embedding the Consultant Within Teams

1. Co‑location or virtual integration – Use collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, Slack, Miro) to place the consultant in daily stand‑ups, design reviews, and sprint retrospectives.
2. Knowledge transfer sessions – Schedule regular workshops to upskill internal staff on standards interpretation and audit readiness.
3. Process ownership handoff – Define clear exit criteria where the consultant transitions responsibility to designated internal champions.

Risk Management and Compliance Assurance

• Proactive gap identification – Consultants conduct risk‑based assessments that uncover hidden non‑conformities before external audits.
• Regulatory intelligence – Ongoing monitoring of standard updates ensures the organization stays ahead of mandatory changes.
• Audit support – Embedded experts can act as liaison with certification bodies, streamlining evidence collection and response handling.

Real‑World Case Studies

Company	Challenge	Consulting Approach	Outcome
boeing	need to certify a new unmanned aircraft under IEC 62443	Embedded cyber‑security consultant for 6 months; integrated into system‑design team	Achieved certification 3 months ahead of schedule; reduced rework cost by 22 %
IBM	Implement ISO 27001 across 12 global data centers	Retainer‑based standards consultant leading workshop series and audit prep	Full certification attained within 9 months; internal compliance team reported 35 % faster issue resolution
Johnson & Johnson (Medical Devices)	Align product lifecycle with ISO 13485 during a merger	Part‑time standards advisor embedded in product development; provided template libraries	Unified quality system launched on time; avoided $4 M in potential regulatory penalties

Practical Tips for Organizations

• Define clear scope – Break the engagement into measurable phases (assessment, implementation, verification).
• Set KPI thresholds – Track metrics such as “time to remediate non‑conformities” and “audit pass rate” to gauge consulting impact.
• Leverage hybrid contracts – Combine a fixed‑price discovery phase with a time‑and‑material rollout for flexibility.
• Document lessons learned – Create a living repository of standards extracts, checklists, and templates for future projects.

Measuring Success and ROI

1. Compliance metrics – Number of audit findings, time to achieve certification, frequency of corrective actions.
2. Financial impact – Cost avoidance from penalties, reduced rework, and faster time‑to‑market.
3. Capability growth – Increase in internal staff’s standards proficiency (measured via skill assessments).

Tools and Platforms Supporting Embedded Consulting

• Compliance Management Systems (e.g., MetricStream, SAI Global) to centralize documentation and track corrective actions.
• Collaboration Suites – Real‑time editing of standards manuals in Google Workspace or Office 365.
• Audit Automation – Tools like AuditBoard or TeamMate+ that enable consultants to drive evidence collection remotely.

Future‑Proofing Your Standards Strategy

• Adopt a continuous improvement mindset – Treat standards as evolving assets rather than one‑time projects.
• Build a flexible talent pool – Maintain relationships with a network of vetted standards consultants to quickly scale expertise as regulations change.
• Integrate AI‑assisted compliance – Leverage emerging natural‑language processing tools to audit policy documents against the latest standard revisions, freeing consultants to focus on strategic remediation.