Every second year, the Norwegian Board of
Technology decides on a core portfolio of projects for the next period. By making
a biannual work programme it is possible to cover different technologies and
policy areas (such as Climate change and low carbon technologies; eHealth and
welfare; Internet policy and privacy; Emerging technologies), as well as
different methods.
Using the concept of a »core portfolio« means
that it is entirely possible for the Board to decide to move fast and decide on
new projects at any meeting. The work plan always includes some spare capacity
to be able to do spin-off projects, to follow up when the standing committees give
clear feedback or they need input, or to respond to technological developments
that were not foreseen.
In the search for new projects, the Board
invites research institutes, business and industry, private persons, public
administration and politicians to brainstorm, in order to obtain proposals for
topics and projects for the Board’s agenda. This ensures that the Boards agenda
stays transparent and open, and gives thematic inputs from many different areas
of society. In 2010 we also arranged ten »idea lunches«, where the board
members invited 3–4 people of their choice to engage in conversation about the
future with our project managers.
In addition, the secretariat will develop an
analysis of societal developments, technology trends and provide an overview of
what is going on in international TA. It will also come up with project ideas.
After the idea gathering,
the secretariat makes a list with short descriptions of 50–100 project ideas.
The Board then selects approximately 20 projects for a closer scrutiny. All
ideas are then evaluated by the secretariat, using criteria such as societal
importance, technological component, political interest and added societal
value. In this phase, the Board also consults MPs and policy makers to get
relevant information and feedback, but not on a formalized level.
Chapter Finding Topics - all countries
© EPTA, version 20 Oct 2012; provided by ITA |