Overview+of+the+purpose+of+a+technology+assessment+and+expected+results

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 *  Module 1. Overview of the purpose of a technology assessment and expected results **

What is called "finding opportunities" or "technology assessment" is often referred to as a "technology audit".

The Objectives of Technology Assessment include:


 * 1) To assess the strengths of a university or research institute, or typically, a department within a university or research institute. This may include technologies, equipment, and most importantly the expertise of researchers.
 * 2) To identify opportunities to promote the expertise of the department being assessed. These new opportunities may lead to increased direct and indirect income for the department.
 * 3) To be a source of strategic management information for the department.
 * 4) To motivate staff and increase awareness of the department.
 * 5) To support local technology transfer (inwards and outwards) and technology commercialization, particularly involving small and medium sized companies.

Technology assessments may also be used by companies to identify important resources that are often overlooked in a more general auditing of IP for example. Information gathered in technology assessments may included know-how, documents, processes, techniques, skills, equipment and computer software. Apart from serving as a useful management tool, the information can improve internal communications, prevent duplication of effort by promoting internal technology transfer, raised employee awareness of new opportunities, and enabled employees to feel recognized and rewarded for their technical contributions. Conducting an audit will raise expectations that something positive is going to happen as a result. If these expectations cannot be fulfilled, the audit may have a negative effect.

Technology Audit: Methodology and Case Example This is a 1992 paper but still an excellent introduction and overview.

Other Modules in this Section

 * 1) Overview of the purpose of a technology assessment and expected results ..
 * 2) Sample assessment questionnaires.
 * 3) Purpose of a technology roadmap.
 * 4) Developing technology roadmaps.
 * 5) Sample roadmaps.