"Forecasting and Management of Technology" discusses the planning, operation, analysis and control of complex technological systems and new technology. The book covers the fundamentals for long term planning, development and production of new products and shows how technologies are developed and complex products produced which require a co-ordinated effort involving engineering, organization and project management. It describes how the resources of a firm are to be utilized and focused to the greatest advantage of the company through product development. Practical methods that industrial managers can apply to their own needs are emphasized throughout the text. A software package is also available that will solve the very complex real-life forecasting problems.

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW AND PRINCIPLES. Management, Technology, and the Future. Principles of Sociotechnical Change. Technology Planning. Forecasting. Managing the Forecasting Project. METHODS. General Methodological Issues. The Stimulation of Creativity. Monitoring. Basic Tools for Quantitative Trend Extrapolation. Extrapolating Technological Trends. Expert Opinion. Simulation. Scenarios. Economic Forecasting and Analysis. ASSESSMENT TO MANAGE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. Impact Assessment: General Issues and the Identification of the Impacts of Technology. Analysis of the Impacts of Technologies. Benefit/Cost and Risk Analysis. Evaluation of Technologies and Their Impacts. Managing the Present from the Future. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.