MMC’s seamless technology transfer (TT) protocol: key issues and their solutions

Seamless technology transfer is one of the most important challenges for firms in the defense sector. 

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, many TT projects fail to either: 

  • build up a local ecosystem
  •  guarantee capability enhancement or
  • effectively transfer local manufacturing ability of products

 

Manar Military Consultancy works with specialists to minimize the four major barriers to effective technology transfer, mainly: organizational barriers, information barriers, technological barriers & human-error barriers. 

Unlike other firms, MMC does not treat TT merely as a commodity buying process but incorporates a strategic approach where the focus is on resource optimization and key constituent activities 

Here is how MMC ensures smooth technology transfer for clients: 

MMC incorporates a modified “stage-gate” approach to systematically manage technology transfer. This approach helps to better analyze the process (in terms of activities, milestones & decision-point sequences) and quickly adapt to new challenges. 

This operational framework consists of different stages. Each stage consists of pre-determined activities along with the information needed by the TT team for decision-making. At each stage, under-performing projects can be identified and the necessary action can be taken to rectify the situation, thereby minimizing the risk of project failure. 

The stages are grouped under three interconnected phases: Initiation, Planning & Execution 

A- The Initiation phase is the first step in any of our TT projects. Resource allocation is relatively low, and the goal is to find value-enhancing technologies for businesses. This phase can be classified into two stages: 

          1- Opportunity spotting: MMC works with defense contractors to evaluate organizational strategies and operational criteria. A financial feasibility report is also prepared and government regulations and policies are analyzed

          2- Focused technology search: technology specifications, market attractiveness, and strategic benefits are identified in this stage. A preliminary list of technology providers are compiled and the project is given a go-ahead if it is deemed feasible


B- Planning is the second phase in TT projects. The focus during this phase is to create a blueprint on how to implement the TT project. The finer details of the TT project are finalized and agreements are drawn. This phase can also be further classified into two stages: 

          1- Negotiations: At this stage, all issues pertaining to financial benefits to the two parties are considered. All details regarding the competitive level of the project, business requirements, and transfer agreement details are agreed upon.

              Before moving on to the next stage, MMC technology transfer managers, make sure the                         negotiations have reached a satisfactory conclusion and the project details have been                             adequately communicated and mutually agreed upon.

           2-TT project implementation plan preparation: MMC TT steering team, work with the client to develop the initial transfer technology plan where they evaluate the feasibility of the TT implementation schedule and take feedback from the transferor regarding efficiency and adequacy of training

 

C- Execution is the final stage of the TT projects. MMC only moves towards the execution phase when all the previous stages have been satisfactorily covered and the TT managers have given the go-ahead. 

Here are two stages it can be classified in: 

          1- Implementation: This is the stage where technology transfer takes place. If training is required, it is immediately performed. TT managers ensure the materials, parts, and services are all according to the implementation time frame     

MMC also conducts an internal and external audit to gather reports related to the experience of implementation (preservation of the time frame integrity, cost imposition, information effectiveness, any antonym experience, etc). The goal is to understand the barriers that prevent successful technology transfer and optimize the process


          2- Technology transfer impact assessment: One of the biggest challenges most defense firms face is gauging how successful a TT project has been. This is mostly due to the complex nature of the projects where multiple outcomes can be expected at different stages.

At MMC, we evaluate the TT project effects by evaluating the financial, technological, market and organizational changes observed.

Based on the findings, it is concluded whether to continue, accelerate or try another TT process.

 

To learn more about our process and services, visit our website: https://www.mmc.ae.org/