Technology assessment

An analytical approach to providing a whole conceptual framework, complete both in scope and time, for decisions about the appropriate utilization of technology for social purposes.The assessment involves: identification and refinement of the subject to be assessed; delineation of the scope of the assessment and development of a data base; identification of alternative strategies to solve the selected problems with the technology under assessment; identification of the parties affected by the selected problems and the technology; identification of the impacts on the affected parties; evaluation or measurement of impacts; comparison of pros and cons of alternative strategies.