Services


EXTERNAL INTELLIGENCE	Perspectives helps clients understand what’s happening – in a particular field, in adjacent sectors, in nascent commercial markets, and in changing environments. External intelligence disciplines in which Perspectives practices include:
		Technical intelligence – i.e., what products do X; what options are there for Y; who else in the world is doing research that is similar to, or applicable to, a given approach; what are the capabilities of alternative or competing approaches to problem Z?
		Market intelligence – i.e., How much money is being spent on the problem; who are the market leaders; what is the market demand?
		Customer intelligence – i.e., how can we best state our value proposition; who are the decision makers; what do customers want, and what to do they really need; what will they pay for it?
	Perspectives works with open source material, and makes heavy use of subject matter expert interviews to gain understanding of the nuances of a particular space. Our clients look to us to dig up useful information from public and private sources and synthesize and analyze it into a concise and consolidated view of a problem or area.
	Activities in support of External Intelligence include thorough benchmarks of worldwide research activities; assessments of commercial market development potential; and exploratory trips to visit with potential sponsors and users to better understand customer needs.
PROGRAM REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT	Perspectives has undertaken a variety of program assessments, ranging from measurement of Return on Investment (ROI) of training programs to impacts generated by R&D projects and programs. Because Perspectives is a team member working at a distance, we are able to help clients understand where activities may not be aligned with strategy. External review is important for making sound decisions based on an unvarnished view of the facts. To that end, Perspectives has developed capabilities to assist projects/programs in quantitatively and qualitatively understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and general effectiveness. We are particularly enthusiastic about the benefits that accrue to projects from the establishment of External Advisory Boards. We start by crafting and re-crafting a charge for the Board. The art is ensuring that the questions can be answered based on content and time available, and that they will improve specific decisions. We find the most productive reviews focus on a mix of product and technical details (e.g., what additional features or re-designs would make a meaningful impact?) and big-picture issues (e.g., are assets appropriately allocated and leveraged?).
PROJECT SUPPORT	In addition to specific tasks in support of External Intelligence and Program Assessment, Perspectives is often called on by clients to support projects in a variety of other ways. We have helped clients with commercialization strategies, documentation of past efforts, grant proposals, project management, and other areas on an as-needed basis.