Analysis, design and implementation of information system: evaluation model for R&D funded programmes

In the new economic era, societies facing difficulties to generate innovation will miss the development opportunities linked to growth, competitiveness and increase of employment. Inevitably, government intervention in development, research and innovation through the funding of research and development projects becomes imperative. The chief instrument for monitoring the progress of the implementation of such course of action is the evaluation of the funded programmes. Mapping out a strategy in line with the innovation policy and achieving maximum added value from the funding of research and development projects require the application of the evaluation in any stage of a project’s life cycle. Furthermore, there is no doubt that the evaluation itself is a complex procedure based on mechanistic and functional principles. In addition to quantitative methods, such as cost -benefit analysis, organization rules and workflow, the evaluation should use qualitative methods promoting ideas and notions, such as human initiative, constant change and acceptance of innovation. The present study focuses on the development of an effective evaluation methodology for research and development projects supported by an information system based on information management and knowledge technology deriving from an ontology model. Its objectives are: the analysis of the notion of evaluation; the systematic approach and the identification of the processes related to the tracking of process and methodology approach for a successful effectiveness of a research project; the identification of evaluation tools and indexes, respectively; the development of an evaluation model based on and incorporating quantitative and qualitative evaluation features; the development of an information system based on knowledge technologies for the creation of a project evaluation ontology; the creation of a portfolio of evaluation indexes and semantic rules for identifying qualitative and quantitative research results; and finally, the case study of research and development projects that are being implemented by consortiums and funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology. The basic results of the study are that the funding body should have actual evaluation participation in all the stages of a project’s life cycle, the evaluation methodology should be clearly defined from the beginning of the funding process, the creation of portfolio indexes measuring results according to the programme’s goals is mandatory, the establishment of an appropriate evaluation model should be obligatory for the funding body and, finally, an information system managing structured and unstructured data will support the evaluation model