A Study of Methods Which Could Improve the Relevance of Naval Applied Research and Exploratory Development

摘要

The document reports the results of an investigation of research investment decision-making within the Department of Defense. The uncertainties which characterize the R and D environment are examined and related to the specific process of investment in applied research and exploratory development. The Naval Applications Group, Office of Naval Research is studied with respect to the currently implemented procedures for the analysis of investment opportunity. The need for management improvement in the prediction of the relevancy of research output is identified and a conceptual model developed for conducting a rational investment analysis. This decision process is structured into two phases: (a) the formulation of investment objectives on the basis of operational relevancy, (b) the analysis of investment opportunities in relation to their technical attainability. Analytical techniques are proposed for interim relevancy improvement through the subjective integration of qualitative and quantitative decision variables. It is concluded that the innovative implementation of such techniques would provide both an immediate improvement in the relevancy of research output and a mechanism for further incremental improvement through the establishment of a historical data base of decision information. (Author)