Video 3: Navigating Transition Pathways

Quick Overview

The third video in the "Scientifically Sound || Mission Relevant || Transition Ready" series focuses on Navigating Transition Pathways, emphasizing that research transition success hinges on framing work to align with Navy priorities, engaging stakeholders (like Requirements Sponsors and Program Offices), and utilizing tools like the Technology Transition Canvas to connect invention (lower half) with innovation (upper half) to ensure mission relevance and secure future funding.

Key Points: The video is the third in a series focusing on making research scientifically sound, mission relevant, and transition ready. Researchers must frame their work in terms of Navy mission relevance (e.g., Readiness, Survivability, or Deterrence) to align with Program of Record (PoR) requirements. Key stakeholders to engage early include Requirements Sponsors and Program Offices (PEOs/PMs), who determine if research maps to a Program of Record. The Technology Transition Canvas, adapted from the Lean Canvas, is a tool to map invention (lower half) to innovation (upper half) to design a value proposition. The process requires aligning technology advantages with current alternatives, pain relievers, and gain creators/pain eliminators to ensure the technology moves from lab to warfighter faster. The video highlights the importance of early engagement with the lab's Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) for managing patents, CRADAs, and tech bridge connections. Successful transition means the research is proven impactful, rather than just scientifically sound, by the time it leaves the lab bench.

Context: This presentation, featuring speakers Eileen Brewer and Paula Anzer, is the third installment of the Crucible Naval X video series, aimed at researchers working with the Department of the Navy. The series focuses on bridging the gap between basic research and practical application for the warfighter, specifically addressing how to make research transition-ready. This segment details the critical steps and tools needed to align research with existing Navy programs and priorities, often involving engagement with Programs of Record (PoRs) and technology transfer mechanisms.