Some thoughts on the application of new technology to resource management needs

Abstract

A brief insight into the phenomena of technology transfer are reviewed. With this as background material two propositions are stated:

• Proposition 1. Technology emerges from the human mind into widespread economic reality, with resulting social impacts over a long period of time. This is the process of technological innovation.

• Proposition 2. There always are some distinctive events, points or stages in this process that mark progress. If they can be identified, progress can be measured and related to time, cost, performance, resource usage, possible impact and other attributes. It is argued that there are at least eight identifiable stages of the process.

These stages are then discussed and conclusions are drawn.