Independent Assessment and Evaluation

The IA&E program area focuses on the following activities:

• Evaluation and assessment of the state of commercial technologies relevant to technology areas applicable to Defense, Intelligence, and other Government agencies
• Developmet of an understanding of emerging commercial technologies relevant to the technology areas
• Assessment of Government users’ technology needs specific to current and future mission requirements
• Analysis of shortfalls in the ability of commercial technology to meet users’ needs
• Development of technology transfer roadmaps and recommendations to address technology shortfalls
• Development of written reports on technology trends and forecasts relevant to the NTA's technology areas

The NTA works with its customers to acquire an in-depth understanding of end users' needs so that projects are directed toward fulfilling their requirements. A user needs assessment seeks to understand:

• Users' goals and end result sought
• How users achieve their goals and how they might be improved
• How users' knowledge and experience influence how they think about their work and the workflow used to perform their tasks

The NTA takes a flexible approach to assessments, applying the NTA's broad knowledge of technology areas and the ability to see the potential for applying technologies for new and unique solutions. The process is iterative and includes usercoordination, strategy definition, planning and roadmap development. The objectives of an assessment are to:

• Evaluate and document the general state of commercial technologies relevant to the NTA technology areas and as applicable to DoD, the IC, and other government agencies
• Provide program and process assessments to facilitate NTA mission requirements
• Seek out and assess the state of commercial technologies relevant to the NTA thrust areas that are applicable to DoD, the IC and other government agencies
• Participate in inter-agency working groups to develop long-term working relationships on technical areas of mutual interest