What We Learned At SCDM 2025 — And How To Act On It

By Cal Collins

SCDM 2025 signaled a defining moment for the evolution of clinical data management (CDM). The discussions, demonstrations, and debates throughout the conference made one thing clear: the discipline is rapidly shifting from data cleaning to data intelligence — from a reactive function to a proactive, strategic enabler of trial success.

This recap explores six key lessons shaping the future of CDM, spanning topics such as explainable AI, ICH-M11 implementation, digital data flow, and the expanding role of automation and interoperability in modern trials. More than just trends, these insights highlight actionable ways for data and biometrics teams to modernize how they design, collect, and operationalize clinical data in an increasingly digital ecosystem.

Each year, the Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) conference provides a snapshot of where the industry is heading, and this year, that pulse felt unmistakably transformational. If you were in Baltimore this fall, you likely witnessed firsthand the accelerating shift toward smarter, more connected, and more strategic data management.

Here’s what we learned — and how forward-thinking teams can translate these insights into measurable impact.