Technology Transition: Guidance Versus Practice

Publisher Marketing: The transition of technologies ensures that our warfighters have the necessary capabilities to fight the ever increasing and changing global threats. Through the investigative research of this study, technology transition best practices were taken from Department of Defense (DOD) publications, Air Force Instructions (AFIs), and industry. The purpose of this study was to gain an understating on what extent the Air Force Research Laboratories were implementing known technology transition best practices. In examining the use of technology transition best practices, the research provides insight into how technologies are transitioned from AFRL to the acquisition community. This study relies on the perspectives and knowledge of program managers within AFRL. Data analysis along with an extensive literature review led to recommendations such as: an implementation of a technology transition team, co-locating AFRL program managers in program offices; and program management training for managers in the S and T community. It was revealed that only some aspects of technology transition best practices were being implemented. It was also discovered that technology transition involves multiple organizations for technologies to be transitioned. Based on the data collected, it was found that the program manager needs multiple resources and the right knowledge to facilitate technology transition.