Tymchenko D. Models and methods of project management for the establishment of a technology transfer office in a higher education institution

The thesis is devoted to the solution of the current and important scientific and applied problem which consists in the development and research of models and methods of project management of the establishment of a technology transfer office in a higher education institution. The terminology of project management was expanded by clarifying the concepts of «innovative technology», «technology transfer», «technology transfer office», the peculiarity of which is to take into account the project approach, as well as by introducing new concepts: «technology transfer project», «portfolio of technology transfer projects», «technology transfer project management». As a result of the analysis of the features of project management and project portfolios in a higher education institution, the types of projects and project portfolios implemented in a higher education institution are identified, and it is suggested to separate technology transfer projects and technology transfer project portfolios into a separate group. A conceptual model of project management of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution is built, which takes into account the specifics of higher education institution operation and includes seven stages for successful project implementation. The block diagram of project initialization of technology transfer office establishment taking into account features of higher education institution is suggested. Stakeholders of the project of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution are identified. The organizational technology transfer office model is developed, which includes the Organizational Breakdown Structure template of the project of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution, the template of technology transfer office’s organizational structure in a higher education institution. The functions of the team members of the project of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution, the functions of technology transfer office’s employees and the place of technology transfer office in the organizational structure of higher education institution are also determined. An information model of the project management of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution is developed, which will increase the efficiency of this project management and provide for high-quality and efficient communication between project stakeholders. This model includes a context chart and a level 1 chart built on DFD notation. Within the framework of the suggested model, information flows between stakeholders in the process of project management of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution in general and at each stage of the management process in particular are determined. The author suggests a method of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution with elements of design thinking, the main task of which is to determine the needs and interests of project stakeholders in establishing cooperation between a higher education institution and business, including observation and survey methods, and creation of a prototype of the project product taking into account the identified needs. The method developed by the author to determine the compliance of the technology transfer office’s prototype in a higher education institution with the needs of stakeholders will provide feedback on the functioning of the technology transfer office’s prototype in higher education institution and help to make the decision on the further functioning of this organizational structure. Within the framework of this method, the author has formulated ten criteria for compliance of the technology transfer office’s prototype in a higher education institution with the needs of stakeholders and proposed a 5-point scale for evaluating these criteria. A formula is also suggested to determine the total numerical score of each criterion based on the responses received from the respondents. Based on the obtained summary estimates, it is substantiated the need to build a Pareto chart that would determine, which of the criteria do not meet or do not fully meet the needs of stakeholders. This, in turn, would determine the direction of improving technology transfer office’s work. It is suggested by methods of A/B testing and usability testing application to determine the compliance of the additional product of the project created during the project implementation of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution – the website’s section devoted to technologies and developments. The thesis presents the practical application of models and methods of project management of technology transfer office establishment in a higher education institution.