Harrowell service

Publishing strategy & journal development

Turn a journal idea, relaunch, acquisition or transformation into a practical publishing model with clear priorities, governance and delivery ownership.

The service in context

Practical support for a connected publishing operation.

A journal needs more than a compelling subject area to succeed. It needs a clear scholarly purpose, a defined audience, editorial leadership, workable policies, a realistic operating model and a plan for development. Harrowell turns those connected decisions into an actionable publishing strategy.

Whether the work involves a new title, an acquisition, a portfolio transition or an established programme, early choices shape governance, systems, contributor experience and the journal’s ability to develop responsibly.

What the service includes

The capabilities behind the service.

Every engagement is scoped around your journal’s needs. These are the core areas Harrowell can bring together in this service.

Journal purpose and positioning

Define scope, scholarly contribution, readership, competitor context and the title’s place within a wider programme.

Governance and editorial leadership

Shape board structures, editor roles, decision authority and reporting that protect scholarly judgement.

Publishing model and policies

Translate strategic aims into policies, service requirements, funding assumptions and a deliverable operating model.

Roadmap and implementation

Set phased priorities, dependencies and decision points for launch, acquisition, relaunch or development.

Where we add depth

Designed around the realities of scholarly publishing.

Harrowell can take responsibility for a complete workstream or strengthen the part of an existing operation that needs more structure, capacity or specialist attention.

New journal development

We turn an editorial ambition into a journal that is ready to operate: scope, governance, author and reviewer journeys, policies, workflows, platform needs and launch preparation.

Journal proposition and audience definition
Board structure and recruitment support
Launch policy, workflow and technology requirements

Relaunch and transformation

When a title needs a new direction or a more dependable operating model, we connect the editorial ambition to the actual changes in service, technology, data and accountability needed to deliver it.

Current-state assessment
Prioritised roadmap and risk register
Stakeholder alignment and implementation plan

Portfolio planning

For organisations responsible for multiple titles, we identify where standards, reporting, technology and specialist capacity can be shared while retaining each journal’s identity.

Portfolio service mapping
Shared governance and standards
Investment and development priorities

How we work

A structured path from need to delivery.

The pace, scope and ownership are agreed around your journal. We make the work visible and give editorial, operational and organisational stakeholders a clear role throughout.

Understand the journal, organisation and scholarly ambition
Assess the current model, risks, opportunities and operating requirements
Develop a prioritised strategy with accountable implementation steps
Support decisions, transition planning and regular review

What is agreed up front

A service with visible ownership.

Every engagement begins with an agreed scope, responsibilities, review rhythm and practical definition of delivery. This makes it clear what Harrowell is accountable for, where decisions sit and how the work connects to your wider publishing operation.

Journal or portfolio strategy

Operating-model and governance recommendations

Phased implementation roadmap

Risk, dependency and decision register

What this makes possible

The outcomes a stronger service model should create.

A clear purpose, audience and editorial proposition
Defined operating responsibilities and decision rights
A prioritised programme rather than disconnected activity
A credible foundation for launch, acquisition, relaunch or transformation

A good fit when

New journals, societies developing a publishing programme, organisations assessing a journal opportunity, titles changing operating model, and established portfolios needing a clearer development direction.

Harrowell can provide this as a focused project, an ongoing managed service or part of a wider publishing partnership. The scope is shaped around the journal’s current operation, priorities and development plans.

Discuss your requirements

Build a service model around the work your journal needs to do next.

Tell us about the journal, programme or operational challenge. We’ll help identify the right starting point and delivery model.

Start a conversation →