Technology Transfer: Bridging the Communication Gaps

Technology transfer, by definition, involves a change in location, scale, equipment details, and other facility-specific conditions. Many of these aspects can be addressed by documents commonly used in technology transfer such as process material and energy balances, operating protocols, equipment design requirements, site specific checklists. These documents, however, are often incomplete or misunderstood as a result of information gaps or unidentified assumptions. Additionally, language and cultural differences often create barriers to uncovering these information gaps and misunderstandings. Deployment of key project management practices, such as Risk Assessment, RACI, Integrated Project Planning, document sharing and regular communication cadences, can provide a framework within which to mitigate communication barriers. For example, thoughtful development of the project Risk Register can ensure that everyone’s concerns are heard and documented, which then opens subsequent communication. Document sharing provides a time-flexible channel to accumulate written information in a way that makes limited interaction time more productive. Regular communication cadences provide a forum for timely airing of questions and issues, and reiteration of critical points as needed. In deploying all these techniques, it is important to keep in mind the value of communicating the same information or asking key questions in multiple formats to ensure that the correct and critical information comes to light.