Safety is an important factor while designing a route. The factors considered are stability of reaction, toxicity of the raw material used, any toxic gas/waste generated during the reaction or any unstable raw material used in the process.

Environment is the key to sustainability, and process research scientists strive hard to design a green route scouting method to reduce the waste generated, avoid toxic waste, and if the waste can be recycled.

Legal factors are another aspect of process research. Some raw materials such as narcotics or hazardous substances can be restricted, and IP can protect some steps required in the process.

Economic viability determines the steps and raw materials used in the process, minimizing the number of steps, developing telescopic processes, the availability of the raw materials in the domestic market, recovery of solvent, and cost associated with the disposal of the waste generated.

Control related factors affect the deliverability of the project on time, in full, and with the highest purity. Process research scientists study and understand the parameters, flexibility of the process, and how to reduce the impurities.

Throughput factors optimize the yield and consider minimal steps used for purification and isolation.