Oakland compiles tailored science and technology briefings on specific subject areas. These are commissioned to meet various aims:
This service often, though not always, follows on from landscaping studies. It focuses on identifying potential enabler technologies outside the client’s normal field of vision. Oakland uses structured inventive thinking techniques to shape research programmes that lead to shortlists of candidate technologies. These studies quickly allow organisations to evaluate their options and prioritise those that offer best-fit solutions. In some cases they are followed by a detailed assessment to evaluate and identify future trends, key drivers, prospective players, and likely early adopters and lead users.
The increasing trend towards open innovation is already well established across industry sectors. Oakland plays a very active role in helping large corporations to build new contacts, including identifying research collaborators, independent expert advisors, or options for outsourced manufacturing. Studies of this type usually involve a preliminary scoping exercise, followed by detailed investigation to assess the suitability and receptivity of potential partners.
Recently, these studies have included ecosystem mapping. Traditionally, scientists describe an ecosystem as a community existing together with its environment, functioning as a unit with interacting and interdependent relationships. In the commercial world, the term ecosystem mapping is becoming widely used to describe the management of complex networks of partnership development. Oakland has developed a process to help clients to construct and manage such systems.
