SP-009-011 Clinical Trial Project Setup and Technical Deliverables for CRO Engagements
Purpose
This specific procedure defines the mandatory technical deliverables and setup steps that must be completed for every clinical trial project involving a Contract Research Organization (CRO) or pharmaceutical sponsor. It ensures that the clinical trial web application (WebApp), delivered as a Progressive Web App (PWA), is properly documented as a system component with appropriate SDLC/CSV controls, end-to-end data flow documentation, and device provisioning specifications.
Scope
This procedure applies to all clinical trial projects where Legit Health provides:
- A clinical trial WebApp (PWA) for image capture, severity assessment, or data collection
- Integration with CRO/sponsor systems for data transfer
- Any frontend component used by site staff, clinicians, or trial subjects
This procedure does not cover:
- The core AI medical device SDLC (covered by GP-012)
- General sales and contracting processes (covered by GP-009, SP-009-001, SP-009-002)
- Non-clinical trial integrations (covered by SP-009-004)
Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| JD-003 Design and Development Manager | Ensures SDLC/CSV deliverables are completed for the WebApp component |
| JD-004 Quality Manager & PRRC | Reviews and approves the Technical Readiness Checklist before go-live |
| JD-005 Technical Manager & PRRC | Oversees technical implementation and validates system architecture documentation |
| JD-007 Technology Manager | Leads WebApp development, configuration management, and deployment |
| JD-013 Project Manager | Coordinates project deliverables, timelines, and stakeholder communication |
Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| PWA | Progressive Web App — a web application that uses modern web technologies to deliver app-like experiences through a browser, without requiring native app installation |
| BYOD | Bring Your Own Device — a provisioning model where end users (site staff, clinicians, or subjects) use their own personal devices to access the WebApp |
| CSV | Computer System Validation — the documented process of ensuring a computerized system does exactly what it is designed to do in a consistent and reproducible manner |
| SDLC | Software Development Lifecycle — the process of planning, creating, testing, and deploying software |
| DTA | Data Transfer Agreement — defines the method, format, frequency, and security requirements for transferring clinical data to the sponsor/CRO |
| Technical Readiness Review | Mandatory checkpoint before go-live where all deliverables in this procedure are verified as complete |
Procedure
Phase 1 — Project Scoping and Device Provisioning
At the beginning of every clinical trial project, the Project Manager (JD-013) and the Technology Manager (JD-007) must define and document the following:
1.1 Device Provisioning Model
A formal document must be created specifying the provisioning model for the project. The two options are:
Option A — BYOD (standard approach):
This is the default and most common model. Site staff or trial subjects use their own devices to access the WebApp via a browser URL. When BYOD is selected, the following minimum handset specifications must be documented and communicated to the sponsor/CRO for inclusion in the study protocol:
| Specification | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Rear camera resolution | ≥ 12 MP |
| Operating system (iOS) | iOS ≥ 16 |
| Operating system (Android) | Android ≥ 12 |
| Screen size | ≥ 5.5 inches |
| Browser (iOS) | Safari ≥ 16 |
| Browser (Android) | Chrome ≥ 110 |
| Network | Stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) for image upload |
| Storage | Sufficient free storage for browser cache during image capture session |
| IT security | HTTPS/TLS 1.2+ for all data transmission; session-based authentication; no local data persistence on device; protection against unauthorised access |
In addition, the following image capture environmental guidance must be provided to users (per EU MDR Annex I Section 17.3 — consideration of external factors related to mobile platform use):
| Guidance Area | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Adequate, even lighting; avoid direct sunlight, shadows, or flash; diffuse natural or artificial light preferred |
| Distance | 15-30 cm from the lesion (unless otherwise specified by the scoring system) |
| Background | Neutral, uncluttered background; plain skin surface visible around the lesion |
| Focus | Ensure the lesion is in sharp focus before capturing; use autofocus tap if available |
| Orientation | Device held parallel to the skin surface to avoid perspective distortion |
| Screen brightness | Sufficient for image review in the capture environment |
These specifications and instructions must be incorporated into the study protocol or other appropriate study documentation and provided as instructions to site staff, clinicians, or trial subjects, in compliance with EU MDR Article 10(11) and Annex I Section 23 (information supplied with the device).
Option B — Vendor-provided devices:
If the sponsor requires vendor-provided handsets, the following must additionally be documented:
- Device model and specifications
- Device provisioning and distribution plan
- Device management and recovery procedures
- Pre-installed software/configuration
The provisioning model document must include a justification for the chosen approach.
1.2 WebApp Feature Scope
For each project, a feature scope document must define:
- Features included (e.g., image capture, DIQA, anonymization, severity assessment, data export)
- Features excluded (with justification)
- Study-specific configurations (scoring systems, number of images, body areas)
Phase 2 — End-to-End Data Flow Documentation
2.1 Project-Specific Data Flow Diagram
A project-specific end-to-end data flow diagram must be created for each clinical trial. This diagram must cover the complete data journey:
The general template above (also defined in SP-009-005) must be adapted per project with:
- Project-specific URLs and endpoints
- Specific data transfer method and frequency (as per DTA)
- Anonymization scope and type (as per study protocol)
- Any project-specific processing steps
2.2 System Architecture Diagram
Each project record must include or reference a system architecture diagram showing:
- All system components involved (WebApp, backend, AI services, storage, CDN)
- Data input interfaces (image capture, questionnaire input)
- Data output interfaces (dashboards, data transfers, reports)
- Security boundaries and access controls
- Integration points with sponsor/CRO systems
This diagram documents the clinical trial WebApp service delivery architecture, which is separate from the core medical device architecture. A general reference architecture is provided in SP-009-005 (Implementation Plan Helpers for Clinical Trials) and must be instantiated with project-specific details.
Phase 3 — WebApp SDLC and CSV Controls
3.1 Core WebApp Development Controls
The clinical trial WebApp follows these development controls:
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Version control | All WebApp source code is managed in Git with branch-based development |
| Code review | All changes require peer review via pull request before merging |
| Automated testing | Unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests are executed in CI/CD pipeline |
| Cross-browser testing | WebApp is tested on target browsers (Safari ≥ 16, Chrome ≥ 110) before deployment |
| Cross-device testing | WebApp is tested on representative devices (iOS and Android) before deployment |
| Image upload validation | Image upload and DIQA functionality is verified before each deployment |
| Deployment | Production deployments follow a controlled release process with rollback capability |
| Change control | All changes to the production WebApp follow the change control process (GP-023) |
3.2 Study-Specific Configuration Management
For each clinical trial, the following study-specific configurations must be documented:
| Configuration | Description |
|---|---|
| Study URL | Unique URL for the study (e.g., studyname.clinicaltrials.legit.health) |
| Access control | User provisioning method, authentication mechanism, role-based access |
| Feature toggles | Study-specific features enabled/disabled |
| Scoring systems | Configured scoring systems for the study (reference SP-009-007) |
| Anonymization settings | Anonymization type and scope per study protocol |
| Data transfer configuration | Transfer method, frequency, format, destination (per DTA) |
| Image requirements | Number of images per visit, body areas, capture instructions |
3.3 Validation Evidence
Before go-live, the following validation evidence must be produced:
- Functional testing results — Verification that all study-specific features work as configured
- Image capture and upload testing — Verification on target devices and browsers
- DIQA validation — Verification that image quality control correctly accepts/rejects images
- Data transfer validation — End-to-end verification that data reaches the sponsor/CRO in the correct format
- Access control testing — Verification that user roles and permissions are correctly configured
- Anonymization testing (if applicable) — Verification that anonymization is applied correctly
Phase 4 — Study Documentation Package
4.1 Required Study Documents
Each clinical trial project must produce or reference the following documents before go-live:
| Document | Description | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Device Provisioning Model | BYOD vs vendor-provided, with handset specifications | JD-013 + JD-007 |
| End-to-End Data Flow Diagram | Project-specific data flow | JD-007 |
| System Architecture Diagram | Project-specific clinical trial service delivery architecture | JD-007 |
| Study Configuration Document | All study-specific configurations | JD-013 + JD-007 |
| Validation Report | CSV evidence for the study-specific setup | JD-007 |
| User Instructions | Image capture guidelines, device requirements for site staff/subjects | JD-013 |
| Data Transfer Agreement | Transfer method, format, frequency, security | JD-013 + JD-005 |
| User Instructions | Project-specific user instructions (device requirements, image capture guidance, study-specific operational information) | JD-013 + JD-004 |
4.2 PACS/DICOM Clarification
All study documentation and IFU references must include the following statement:
"The Legit.Health system does not function as a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) handling, if required by the study protocol, must occur outside the validated scope of the Legit.Health system, at the sponsor, CRO, or integration layer."
Phase 5 — Technical Readiness Review
5.1 Readiness Gate
Before any clinical trial goes live, a Technical Readiness Review must be conducted. This review is a mandatory gate and must be documented using T-009-006 Clinical Trial Technical Readiness Checklist.
The review must verify:
- Device provisioning model documented and communicated to sponsor
- Minimum handset specifications defined (if BYOD)
- End-to-end data flow diagram completed
- System architecture diagram completed or referenced
- WebApp study-specific configuration documented
- Validation evidence completed (functional, image capture, data transfer, access control)
- User instructions prepared
- Data Transfer Agreement signed
- Project-specific user instructions prepared and approved
- PACS/DICOM clarification included in study documentation
- Anonymization settings configured and tested (if applicable)
5.2 Approval
The Technical Readiness Review must be approved by:
- JD-004 Quality Manager & PRRC — Confirms QMS compliance
- JD-005 Technical Manager & PRRC — Confirms technical readiness
- JD-013 Project Manager — Confirms all project deliverables are complete
No clinical trial may proceed to production without all three approvals.
Outputs
| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| R-009-001 | Project record containing all study-specific deliverables |
| T-009-006 | Completed Technical Readiness Checklist |
| Data flow diagram | Project-specific end-to-end data flow |
| Validation report | CSV evidence for study-specific setup |
Associated Documents
| Reference | Title |
|---|---|
| GP-009 | Sales |
| GP-023 | Change control management |
| SP-009-004 | Implementation Plan Helpers |
| SP-009-005 | Implementation Plan Helpers for Clinical Trials |
| SP-009-006 | Integration Workflow Helpers |
| SP-009-007 | Scoring Systems Catalog |
| T-009-006 | Clinical Trial Technical Readiness Checklist |