Needs assessment for support units in an R & D organization

The relationship between support units and projects groups in R & D organizations has been neglected. This article reports a study of the role and mission of an electronic fabrication support unit among project users and other relevant management personnel of a major national laboratory. The inability to be cost efficient for both prototype development and low-cost volume-fabrication projects resulted in criticism, dissatisfaction, and a poor image of the supporting unit in this organization. Given the difficulty in controlling allocated costs, the supporting unit may improve its image by differentiating the demands through separate organizations, cost policies, and integration mechanisms.