Technology evaluation: Fitting tools and techniques to the stages of the evaluation process

In this work we propose to look at the process of evaluation and selection of technologies. Building on evaluation models that assume stages and decision moments, we propose a complement to those models by suggesting specific methodologies, tools and criteria that seem to be appropriate for each specific stage. The research was based on a structured inquiry on the evaluation practices of thirty three firms from different sectors. One of the main results was the realization that the criteria, tools and methodologies that are adopted by firms are not uniform throughout the process of evaluation and adoption of the technologies. It depends on the stage of the process. Accordingly, we propose a division of the process in specified stages and we identify which criteria, tools and methodologies firms' values most at each one.