2. Distinct but overlapping activities…
Overlap Technology Scouting
exists
Competitive Technical
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Patent Analytics o r m
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3. Unique is not always useful
Cool science does not always equal cool business
4. Fundamentally…..
• Those responsible for investing in technologies must
understand what others are doing and how it might affect
them
• What Technology Scouting/CTI/PA do is help those
decision makers make a good decision!
– Creates awareness
– Reduces blindside risk
– Provides options
– Stimulates innovative and creative thinking
5. Telling the Technology Story
• Telling the Technology Story provides insight into: Who,
What, When, Where, Why, and How
• Who is the competition, who might be a partner
• What are they doing and what are alternative approaches
• When are they doing it – recent activity or abandoned
• Where do they consider their important markets – filing
jurisdictions
• Why are they doing it – what is driving the R&D effort
• How they are doing it – technological approaches of the
competition or of a potential partner
– Optimal Outcome: Unique, actionable intelligence that
provides a competitive advantage
6. What is Competitive Technical
Intelligence (CTI) Really?
• Represents an Organized approach:
– Anticipate competitor’s intentions
– Anticipate competitive technological progress
– Anticipates shifts in drivers
• Provides actionable information for:
– Technology sourcing: what and where
– Diversification opportunities
– Technology strategy
– Product and technical innovation
• CTI
– Topics are primary technical in nature
– Specialized scientific, technological or engineering content
– Often rely on tools and techniques in specialized software
• Let the machines do the heavy lifting but human judgment and
analysis are key