STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY-ASSESSMENT, FUTURE PRODUCTS AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

An analytical process that continually re-evaluates future product req uirements must be the foundation of technology planning and forecastin g. Technology assessments supported by such analysis have numerous adv antages since future product performance is tied directly to anticipat ed customers, markets and competitors. This linkage imparts certain ri gorous requirements upon any technology assessment method, however. Cl ear paths must be established between future product performance and t oday's technology investment choices. The technology assessment method must be flexible and adaptable, since 'future customer' requirements may change or unanticipated technologies may appear on the horizon. Fi nally, the technology assessment method must be practical. It must pro vide research and development (R&D) management with a clear decision t ool that sheds light on issues such as the cost, development time and performance outcomes of choosing one set of technologies over another for a future product.