ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a structure for the planning of technology so that it can be integrated into the business plans of a corporation. Technical planning is a logical thought process that is used to come to an agreement within a business on its important technology areas, and the technical strategies. Technology brings about change; research and development is the agent of change and as such provides the stimulus for innovation. It upgrades products, solves problems in businesses and in society, brings about new products based upon new and old technologies, and starts new businesses/undermines old businesses by introducing new technology. In order to properly plan a technological program in support of a market, the product areas must be properly defined. It has been found that in order to expand the horizons of technical innovation and still maintain management direction, the most effective basis for the definition of products is to use a definition based on "economies of service."
