Need for objective, quantitative and inclusive performance matrix for research design

• Published in: Current science (Bangalore) Vol. 108; no. 3; pp. 320 - 321
• Main Author: Goswami, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Current Science Association 10.02.2015
• Subjects: Assessments; Decision analysis; Design engineering; Human; Leadership; OPINION; Optimization; Performance indices; Policies
• ISSN: 0011-3891

In the rapidly evolving and transforming science of the current era, it is extremely useful to maintain dynamism in the research programmes of R&D organizations. This requires identification of less important or less relevant areas for better focus and optimum utilization of limited resource; it is equally important to identify (or better still, initiate) new areas, both for sustained relevance and for leadership. Such dynamism necessarily requires, for limited human and infrastructure resources, shedding of some research programmes, while inducting new ones. The so called SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat) analysis is a recognized methodology to identity areas/programmes for such dynamism. Yet a SWOT analysis can be hardly effective unless it provides specific and actionable inputs for policy makers. However, the conventional SWOT analyses often fail to provide such effective inputs; a particular obstacle is either intentional or unintentional ambiguous or non-specific inputs to the SWOT analysis by the participating scientists. It would be certainly desirable to carry out a SWOT analysis by an independent third party, at least at the first level (like a first assessment); however, such an independent analysis requires objective, quantitative and unambiguous data. Thus well designed SWOT analysis for an objective, quantitative and inclusive performance (OQIP) index, based on which policy may be implemented, is necessary.