Managing Technology Transfer A Strategy for the Federal Highway Administration -- Special Report 256 (1999) / Chapter Skim
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5 Proposed Technology Transfer Strategy for FHWA
5 Proposed Technology Transfer Strategy for FHWA
Pages 71-81
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From page 71... ...
Although FHWA's organization, process, and materials for technology transfer reflect a good intuitive grasp of information exchange and technology transfer, the agency needs to articulate a strategy for its technology transfer activity -- one grounded in empirical data and the experience of agency staff. Such a strategy would assist FHWA in accelerating innovation by focusing on the why of technology transfer, especially in view of the wide range of technology topics to be addressed, and thereby overcome some of the effects of highway indus 71
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From page 72... ...
Moreover, it could help FHWA optimize the use of available methods, respond to unusual situations, and communicate better with the stakeholders involved in the technology transfer process.2 In addition, a strategy would provide guidance for resource allocation, aid in making choices about specific activities and target groups, help monitor progress to goals, and provide guidance in determining when a specific technology transfer activity should be scaled back or concluded. Regardless of its organizational structure, then, FHWA can accelerate innovation in the highway industry by adopting a specific technology transfer strategy and basing its technology transfer activities on that strategy.
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From page 73... ...
It can also help FHWA identify potential initial implementing agencies that may become strong supporters or champions for specific technologies, as well as assist the agency in selecting appropriate technology transfer methods. Setting Technology Transfer Priorities Faced with a wide array of both potential users and research products, FHWA must make critical choices about where and how its limited technology transfer resources will be used.The setting of priorities must precede the selection of technology transfer methods and the initiation of implementation.
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From page 74... ...
Once prior ity topics have been determined, FHWA forms teams of specialists that visit countries in which significant advances and innovations have been achieved in technology, management practices, organi zational structure, program delivery, and financing. As an example, in June and July 1995, the Technology Scanning Review of European Bridge Structures was conducted under the auspices of FHWA's International Outreach Program and NCHRP in cooperation with the American Consulting Engineers Council, the American Institute of Steel Construction, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the Portland Cement Association.
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From page 75... ...
The nature of the technology -- as indicated by its Box 5-2 Bases for Priority Setting Many potential strategic directions or choices can form the basis for setting priorities in technology transfer. These include pro moting research products with the highest estimated ratio of user benefits to technology transfer cost; emphasizing delivery of prod ucts to users that are most receptive to innovation or have the greatest likelihood of implementation success; focusing on prod ucts for which highway industry partners can be found; and emphasizing products that match most closely FHWA's strategic goals, as well as national and state goals.
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From page 76... ...
Technology transfer for such a product would require direct contact with state bridge engineers because they make the critical choices on bridge design issues. If the product were the result of a lengthy research and field testing and demonstration effort to reduce salt corrosion, state bridge engineers would be likely to be aware of the nature, value, and cost of the product and might have been involved as reviewers or participants in the work.
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From page 77... ...
In addition, they provide a basis for documenting accomplishments within the R&D program.4 Since implementation is the primary goal of technology transfer efforts, the extent to which the user community implements research products is a key measure of the success of those efforts. However, successful implementation is generally measured by operational success, and limited time and resources are available to track research ideas to implementation.
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From page 78... ...
The centers support the state-level division offices in their primary role of program delivery by providing leadership on strategic initiatives and expert assistance on technical process and program issues, training, technology transfer, intermodal and interagency coordination, legal services, and civil rights. Each resource center is assigned a group of states within a geographic area, but specific technical expertise is shared among resource centers and division offices as needed.
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From page 79... ...
Moreover, FHWA has not identified which of its offices has agencywide management responsibilities related to technology transfer, and responsibility for several important management requirements remains unassigned.5 Questions that need to be resolved include how a core business unit will learn from the technology transfer successes, or perhaps even failures, of another core business unit; who will be responsible for maintaining technology transfer communication channels among the core business units; and how technology transfer specialists from outside the agency (i.e., from state highway agencies, universities, and LTAP centers) will be included in FHWA's technology transfer process.
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From page 80... ...
3. The setting of technology transfer priorities should also be based on previous deci sions about research priorities within FHWA's research management process.
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From page 81... ...
1998. Setting Goals and Measuring Performance for Transportation Research and Technology Programs.
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