Impact Analysis for Research and Development Programs

Abstract : All Research & Development project/programs differ in purpose. The future impact of R&D efforts is difficult to determine and often there are no usable data for evaluation since there is no generally accepted or universally applicable method for predicting a program's worth. Being able to evaluate the future impact of R&D programs could provide useful information to many people. Principal investigators could use this information to evaluate programs and take important decisions about funding, acquisition, implementation, etc. The Naval Training Systems Center (NAVTRASYSCEN) Training Analysis and Evaluation Department was requested to develop means to assess the impact of R&D programs on the Navy. Training effectiveness estimates and cost estimates were collected from four NAVTRASYSCEN R&D programs using the Device Effectiveness Forecasting Technique (DEFT), the Research and Development Impact Analysis (RDIA), and a standard life cycle cost analysis. Training effectiveness evaluation, Impact analysis, R&D, Life cycle cost analysis, Psychology.