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Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation in the Public Works ...

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of revenue to help f<strong>in</strong>ance <strong>the</strong> solution of <strong>in</strong>frastructure needs. His premise is that through commercialization<br />

of <strong>in</strong>novations revenue can be raised by research <strong>in</strong>stitutions.<br />

Goldste<strong>in</strong> lists three ma<strong>in</strong> alternatives <strong>for</strong> technology transfer of <strong>in</strong>novations <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> marketplace:<br />

commercialization entities, start-up companies, <strong>and</strong> jo<strong>in</strong>t ventures (research <strong>in</strong>stitution/private company).<br />

He discusses <strong>the</strong> issue of risk associated with technology transfer. Risk orig<strong>in</strong>ates by <strong>the</strong> possibility of<br />

occurrence of three major scenarios: economic loss, breach of contract, or harm by a defective <strong>in</strong>novative<br />

product. Goldste<strong>in</strong> suggests several avenues to control <strong>the</strong> risk associated with technology transfer based<br />

on risk analysis <strong>and</strong> m<strong>in</strong>imization.<br />

"Technology Transfer <strong>and</strong> Market<strong>in</strong>g: Army-Style," by J. Walaszek<br />

Walaszek reviews some of <strong>the</strong> barriers to <strong>the</strong> adoption of <strong>in</strong>novations, categorized <strong>in</strong> three major<br />

classes: <strong>in</strong>effective communications, human resistance to change, <strong>and</strong> organizational <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />

constra<strong>in</strong>ts. He describes <strong>the</strong> solution to <strong>the</strong>se barriers with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Army R&D <strong>and</strong> user community. The<br />

solution consists of a technology transfer process as described <strong>in</strong> Volume 1, Chapter 3. He emphasizes<br />

<strong>the</strong> importance of ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g user <strong>in</strong>put <strong>and</strong> hav<strong>in</strong>g user <strong>in</strong>volvement throughout <strong>the</strong> different phases of <strong>the</strong><br />

technology transfer process. This guarantees that <strong>the</strong> R&D products conveniently address <strong>the</strong> user needs,<br />

<strong>and</strong> that <strong>the</strong>y fit with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> operational constra<strong>in</strong>ts of <strong>the</strong> user's environment.<br />

"An Example of Successful <strong>Innovation</strong>: Three-Dimensional Graphics on Construction Projects," by R.<br />

Zabilski<br />

Zabilski describes <strong>the</strong> successful transfer <strong>and</strong> implementation of <strong>in</strong>novative computer-based graphical<br />

techniques <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> management of construction projects. The mentioned <strong>in</strong>novation allows<br />

eng<strong>in</strong>eers to visualize designed components, <strong>in</strong> place, long be<strong>for</strong>e actual construction. This makes <strong>for</strong><br />

more effective plann<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> cost estimat<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong> facilities. The described tools also allow <strong>for</strong> improved<br />

construction control <strong>and</strong> delivery of as-built <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation to <strong>the</strong> owner/operator of <strong>the</strong> facility. From a<br />

general perspective, this paper restates <strong>the</strong> importance of <strong>in</strong>novative <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation systems as aids <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

design, construction, operation, <strong>and</strong> management of facilities.<br />

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