Competitive Technical Intelligence

Competitive Technical Intelligence is the fourth volume in the Topics in CI series, published by SCIP’s Competitive Intelligence Foundation. The general topic covers the concept and practice of defining a competitive technical intelligence function (CTI), the elements and knowledge that are required to effectively implement such a function, and examples of successful CTI functions. Brad Ashton is the editor and the publication date is early 2009.

Content

Major components of developing or improving a competitive technical intelligence function include: 

1.      Defining the function’s goal, clients, output, and decision(s) it will support.

2.      Defining the plan to grow the function in effectiveness and maturity.

3.      Defining management’s role and obtaining buy-in for the function.

4.      Identifying the skill sets of CTI personnel and determining the best way to train and retain them.

5.      Leveraging internal resources (information, people, systems) and creating networks.

6.      Identifying additional resources to be developed or purchased.

7.      Creating process that work within your organization’s culture and support your CTI goals.

8.      Communicating and educating clients, team members, and information contributors about CTI.

9.      Determining ways to measure the impact of the CTI function.10. Developing effective relationships with other CI functions in the organization.

Objective

The primary objective of Competitive Technical Intelligence is to provide an introduction to the necessary elements for creating an effective competitive technical intelligence function in an organization or for improving an existing function. This publication provides guidance and information on all aspects of a CTI function, from organizational issues to required resources to internal processes.

Contents include the processes, best practices, and operating procedures that chart the path to competitive technical intelligence success. It reviews the groundwork on what needs to be done before you start producing CTI and ways to make your existing function more effective. The publication will also include case studies of successful (and unsuccessful) efforts.

·         What do I need to know before I start developing a CTI function?

·         What basic information and staff resources do I need?

·         What skills are required for producing effective CTI deliverables?

·         How should the CTI function interact with other departments and functions?

·         Who should my CTI clients be and how do I identify them?

·         How do I involve management in CTI development and how do I develop a CTI champion?

·         What is CTI’s role in strategic planning? In R&D? In manufacturing?

·         Does my specific industry require a different approach to conducting CTI?

·         What budget requirements does a CTI function have?

·         When hiring or promoting staff, what core competencies are needed?

·         How do I develop an effective CTI analytical project team, either dedicated or ad hoc?

·         What processes need to be in place for a CTI function to work and what best practices can I leverage to create them?

·         How do I develop needs assessments and determine if they are accurate?

·         How do I integrate early-warning into CTI?

·         What is the best way to distribute and communicate CTI products in my organization?

·         What is the role of consultants in designing and developing the CTI function?

·         How should the CTI function be organized or structured?

·         What infrastructure linkages do I need with other departments?

·         What internal resources already exist that can support the CTI function and how do I find them?

·         How do I build effective internal networks to exchange information and analysis?

·         How do I define appropriate CTI output/deliverables?·         How do I develop and distribute a set of legal and ethical guidelines?

·         What are my project outsourcing options and when should I use them?

·         How can I use technology to support my CTI practices?

·         How should the success of my CTI effort be measured?

·         What is the role of patents?

·         How do I leverage scientific literature, conferences and trade shows?

·         What is CTI’s role in strategic alliances, M&A, technology transfer?

·         Is CTI implemented differently in other countries?

Target audience

The target audience for this publication includes: 

• Individuals who are new to competitive technical intelligence.
• Experienced CI professionals who are starting a new competitive technical intelligence function or expanding/reorganizing an existing function.
• Corporate management involved in designing, leading, using or overseeing the competitive technical intelligence effort.
• Academics who teach CI and their students.

For additional information, please contact Bonnie Hohhof at bhohhof@scip.org