The objectives of The Technology Management Network are as follows:

In an environment where there is an increasingly urgent need to find methods for cost reduction, enhanced oil recovery and access to hitherto inaccessible oil and gas accumulations, excellent technology management can make a significant difference to a company’s profitability. A typical technology management process includes such components as identifying and prioritising technology needs, identifying and evaluating technology solutions, transferring or developing selected technologies, managing subsequent portfolios of technology assets and capturing lessons learnt. R&D activities which are well aligned with asset and corporate needs and are effectively applied by the assets is a common industry goal. Please click to view OTM's technology management ‘cycle’.

Each meeting of the Network is themed and targeted towards a technology management process component or related subject. At least one detailed presentations is given by a member operator describing all the activities within their organisation making up the particular component and identifying perceived strengths and weaknesses, problems encountered and ideas for the future. Ensuing facilitated discussions to analyse presentations in order to agree specific critical success factors and bring out potential solutions to problems either through applying another company’s methodology, identifying a solution from a different industry, or by brainstorming new techniques. In this way the group  acts as ‘consultants’ for one another. The Network provides practical solutions which can be applied immediately and cost effectively by the members.

All presentations and discussion are given in a confidential environment between members to promote openness and thereby increase learning opportunities. For the same reason, minutes are discrete and focus only on conclusions and identified critical success factors. Presentation material is only circulated when specifically agreed to by presenters. The meetings are one-day events to restrict the time commitment required of members and take place quarterly to ensure continuity of discussions and to ensure the subject remains fresh in members’ minds. At each event there is a mixture of detailed presentations by members, relevant keynote addresses from ‘gurus’ or other industries and discussions in smaller focus groups followed by feedback and analysis.

OTM plays an important role in identifying speakers and planning events in advance as well as defining the subject and chairing and facilitating meetings to ensure that all attendees are involved and the event’s objectives are met. The mixture of structured and free-thinking sessions promotes creative thinking as well as capturing practical success factors and lessons learnt. OTM’s involvement also ensures that timekeeping is maintained, that the meetings remain focused (leading to specific conclusions) and that each attendee goes away satisfied that they have gained something from the day. In addition, OTM produces 'minutes' which collate and summarise the discussions and conclusions arising from the day; provides occasional 'Toolkits' as aids to implement processes identified as representing best practice and produces 'Information packs' on particular methodologies or initiatives of interest: eg Technology Roadmapping, The Stage Gate decision making process etc.

The Technology Management Network has been running since October 1998 and has held a number of meetings on the subjects of:

All have been well received and included in depth discussion on the subject areas. Guest speakers have been invited to these meetings to give a different industry perspective and their input has been extremely valuable. Speakers include: