In 2006 and 2007, Energetics conducted a ground-breaking assessment of the U.S. measurement system (the community of measurement tool providers, researchers, and users) to ascertain the system’s ability to maintain technological innovation in 11 economic sectors.
Client Need
Understanding where measurement is not keeping pace with innovation is key to ensuring that the United States gains and maintains technological leadership in crucial areas of the economy. To understand the health of the U.S. measurement system, the National Institute of Standards and Technology had a need to examine the state of the art in measurement science capabilities.
Solution
Energetics reviewed over 250 roadmaps and 300 case studies on measurement problems to evaluate the gaps in measurement technology relative to technological innovation in 11 economic sectors. Using a comprehensive key-word tagging system, we developed a Microsoft Access database to analyze the key trends and draw inferences about measurement capabilities.
Results
The assessment resulted in the issuing of An Assessment of the United States Measurement System: Addressing Measurement Barriers to Accelerate Innovation (NIST Special Publication 1048) which is being used to guide strategic decision making. Energetics received a Certificate of Merit for this work from the Department of Commerce in 2007.