The ITF Process

Step 1: Understand and Identify Technology Needs

During Q3 of each year, ITF senior staff conduct in-depth mapping of each Member Company's future technology needs, gaps and drivers. The information captured forms the basis of a matrix identifying the most important 7 to 8 high level topics. Following Board agreement, these topics are developed into ITF Technology Challenge Workshops (TCWs) planned throughout the following year. The outcome of each TCW forms the basis of a 'Call for Proposals'.

Step 2: Engage the Development Community / Invite Proposals

'Calls for Proposals' are issued and distributed globally to developers, SMEs, innovators and academia, inviting them to submit relevant proposals for field trials or technology development. Document templates for the submission of the proposals can be located on the ITF website following the link on the home page or visiting the Download Section. Once submitted, ITF technology analysts carry out Due Diligence to check the project is viable, the IP is clear and that all relevant information has been included. Following this process, the proposals are presented to ITF Member Companies for review and scoring.

Step 3: Assess and Rank Proposals

After a review period, ITF Member Companies are invited to indicate their level of support for submitted proposals using a scorecard system. Technical clarification may then be required to understand, flex and revise proposals. Field trials are reviewed through a slightly different process but with the same outcome.

Step 4: Secure Funding

Once clarification has been received, ITF canvass Member Companies to secure up to 100% funding for those proposals selected for sponsorship. The total cost of the project is equally divided between the interested investors and once the finer details are agreed, a joint industry project (JIP) is put in place by ITF.

Step 5: Launch JIPs

ITF takes the role of either observer in the JIP contract or project manager where required to manage the outcomes. This is a more recent change to mitigate the problem of technology being funded without implementation. Our major goal is clear and that is to see funding for technology that will be used and add value. It is about clear understanding of deliverables, milestones and addressing the technical challenges that arise to get ideas across the 'valley of death' in technical development.

Step 6: Implement Technologies

For those proposals being funded, we have a process to ensure dialogue with developers regarding plans for implementation. Indeed contracts are clear on this case. Post development and ITF reserve some rights to ensure technology reaches the members for use - on a global basis - as quickly as possible. Sometimes the developers do this directly but often ITF facilitate alliances or service company engagement and where developers are in a sell on mode - assist / encourage / facilitate licensing etc.