Report of the Defense Science Board Summer Study on Technology Base Management

摘要

The 1987 DSB Summer Study on Technology Base Management was charged with evaluating the management of the technology base of Department of Defense (DOD) and making recommendations on ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the management process. The thrust of this study was to develop management principles that could guide the Technology Base rather than to develop a more detailed set of recommendations. The conclusions of the panel are derived from a qualitative evaluation of the present system coupled with an understanding of how well (or poorly) recommendations of past studies have been implemented. It was evident that implementation of any recommendations will face substantial institutional resistance and political difficulties. Accordingly the Study has, in some cases, adopted the mechanism of proposing a series of experiments or demonstrations of major change which point in the right direction. It is important to understand that the leadership and vision of motivated individuals and groups are a critical part of technical management. The study has been as concerned with this aspect of Technology Base management as with more institutional or bureaucratic processes.