Why does CLM content quality matter so much?
Veeva CLM is the primary presentation tool for the sales force in the pharmaceutical industry. Yet many companies still build their content without following clear technical guidelines — which results in slow presentations, visual breakage on specific tablets and, worse, no reliable capture of engagement data.
In this article we share the main best practices the Brands-TI team applies across every CLM project, ensuring performance, compliance, and a user experience that genuinely supports the rep during the medical visit.
1. Performance first
CLM presentations run on tablets with limited memory. Optimize every image for the web (max. 200KB per asset), avoid complex CSS animations that stutter on older iPads, and prefer SVG over PNG for icons and illustrations.
2. Clear navigation structure
CLM navigation must be intuitive enough for the rep to find the right slide within seconds during a conversation. Define a visual navigation map before development starts and validate it with the field team.
3. Data capture and Key Messages
Use the Key Message fields correctly in Veeva CRM. Every interaction with a slide can — and should — be recorded to feed call reporting and help managers understand what is actually being discussed with HCPs.
4. QA across multiple devices
Always test on at least three different iPad models, including older versions that may still be in the hands of the sales force. A visual bug that only shows up on the iPad mini can undermine the credibility of the entire presentation during an important visit.
5. Approval cycle in Vault
Define the approval workflow clearly before publishing. Involve Regulatory and Medical Affairs from the storyboard onward — last-minute content changes after approval create expensive rework and launch delays.