NCJ Number
54086
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
STEPS IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER INVOLVING THE AUTOMATION OF ALL OR PART OF AN OPERATION ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED.
Abstract
'TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER' IS DEFINED AS THE EXCHANGE OF AN IDEA, AN EXPERIENCE, A TECHNIQUE, OR A CONCEPT BETWEEN PEOPLE WITH A COMMON INTEREST IN IMPROVING THEIR PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. APPLYING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO THE AUTOMATION OF AN OPERATION INVOLVES 12 STEPS: (1) THE FEASIBILITY STUDY, WHICH DETERMINES IF THE OPERATION SHOULD BE AUTOMATED; (2) A REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS, WHICH INVOLVES THE CHARTING OF PROCEDURES AND PAPER FLOW, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO BOTTLENECKS, REDUNDANCY, AND INEFFICIENCY; (3) THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONCEPTUAL MODEL AND FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE NEW SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES SPECIFICATIONS FOR BOTH SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE; (4) CANDIDATE SYSTEM MATCHING, WHICH INVOLVES THE COMPARISON OF THE CONCEPTUAL MODEL WITH POTENTIAL DONORS WHO HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED A SYSTEM LIKE THE ONE BEING PROPOSED; (5) REVIEW OF THE DOCUMENTATION DESCRIBING THE CANDIDATE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE IF THE CANDIDATE IS A GOOD MATCH; (6) AN ONSITE DEMONSTRATION AND CANDIDATE SYSTEM EVALUATION; (7) THE TRANSFER PLAN DEVELOPMENT; (8) HARDWARE ACQUISITION; (9) SOFTWARE MODIFICATION; (10) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRANSFER PROCESS; (11) TRAINING OF THE OPERATORS AND USER PERSONNEL; AND (12) PROJECT EVALUATION, WHICH INVOLVES DETERMINING IF TIME AND MONEY HAVE BEEN SAVED. THE OVERALL KEY TO TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IS FINDING A GOOD MATCH AND PLANNING. OTHER ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER ARE A PROGRESSIVE MANAGER WHO IS WILLING TO TEST TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, A DONOR AGENCY THAT WILL INTERPRET DOCUMENTATION AND ASSIST IN THE TRAINING TASKS, AND DOCUMENTATION THAT IS ACCURATE AND COMPLETE. (RCB)