LESSONS IN TECHNOLOGY-ASSESSMENT - METHODOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT AT OTA

The demise of the congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) was precipitated by larger political forces that in the end, despite a close fight, OTA was unable to withstand. In its time, OTA was the in stitutional leader in the technology assessment (TA) field. OTA define d and refined a widely respected assessment process that produced hund reds of critically acclaimed reports. OTA studies contributed to congr essional deliberations and public debate on a wide range of topics. OT A's legacy also includes some important lessons in technology assessme nt methodology and management, with implications for reinventing techn ology assessment far legislative bodies such as the U.S. Congress. The lessons learned are likely to be key to the future of a next generati on OTA or the equivalent, and to other OTA-like organizations, whether in the public or private sector. Compared to the old OTA, a reinvente d TA organization would have a more flexible product line and study pr ocess that can more closely match a variety of congressional needs, wh ile at the same time retaining the OTA hallmarks of balance, objectivi ty, and broad participation. Methodological improvements are needed an d can be implemented quickly, drawing on the OTA lessons and other TA activities in the United States and overseas. The imperative for OTA-l ike functions continues, given the ever more pervasive role of science and technology in society. As embodied in the Technology Assessment A ct, the concept of TA is a noble one. The OTA experience in TA methodo logy and management should help technology assessors at home and abroa d keep the dream alive. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.