A Framework for Making Strategic Technology Decisions

Management of technology development is a key aspect of any technology-dependent program, but at present, NASA does not manage technology development within a context of agency goals and visions spanning decades. We propose here a management framework that requires development of a technology portfolio that can be applied to achieving long term strategic goals in accordance with decade spanning vision. This process integrates program direction, maturity and time, and allows a manager to understand where to accept development risk, where to apply significant amounts of resources, and how to manage technology development as a separate element in a program.