Technical Program Reviews

EERE has a long history of performing technical reviews of its programs, using the various approaches that are included under this heading of technical program review. Generally speaking, these reviews are internally run to inform internal decisions such as plans and progress review, there are also cases where external parties (such as Advisory Committees) participate in reviews. EERE Senior Management program technical reviews or strategic EERE program portfolio reviews, advisory committee reviews and technical teams are included in this category.

An example of an EERE-corporate level technical program review is the EERE 2002 Strategic Program Review (PDF 1.5 MB). Technology Readiness Reviews could be considered a technical review. These reviews include "Stage Gate" reviews to determine when a technology or activity is ready to move to its next stage of development. See Stage Gate Review Guide for the Industrial Technologies Program (PDF 813 KB) and Stage Gate Review Guide for the Biomass Program (PDF 284 KB); "Down-Select" reviews to winnow the R&D paths pursued; and "Off-Ramp" reviews to determine if the DOE job is done and the technology can be graduated or terminated. Downloads of the most recent program presentations at technical reviews can be found at EERE Evaluation Plans and Reports. Download Adobe Reader.

One type of technical review is EERE's annual Strategic Technical Review (STR) of the programs by EERE Senior Management. The STR provides senior EERE management with a means of assessing the current state of each program.

The main focus of the STR is to summarize the efforts of each program's key goals and objectives, multi-year technical and portfolio plans, and issues requiring assistance of EERE Management attention.

For example, as described in the 2005 STR summary, each program is asked to present at the STR:

A compelling portfolio of R&D activities, given status of applicable markets, technology state-of-the-art, and past program performance
A coherent organization of program activities and management functions with an outline of decision-process and analytical activities
A technology research and development plan that is executable and enumerated in cross-linked performance parameters
Cost, schedule, and technical performance metrics
A plan for program implementation that includes a cogent WBS, managerial structure, and credible suppliers or key personnel

As a result of these meetings and reviews, EERE Senior Management and Program Managers identify key issues along with a range of possible solutions.