TOOLS FOR TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT - AN ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE

The value of management tools is occasionally brought into question. T hey are sometimes seen as some form of crutch which managers deploy in stead of thinking creatively. This paper attempts to clarify the natur e of management tools and argues a case for their appropriate use, The paper distinguishes between tools and company procedures or systems a nd explores some new categorisations, Focusing specifically oil techno logy management tools, the paper looks at where different tools have c ome from, and provides examples from industry, government and consulta ncy companies. The role academics can play in their development is exp lored, with the paper arguing that they are in a rare position to impa rtially scrutinise and evaluate existing tools as well as contribute t o the development of new tools to solve unusual and complex problems. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.