Technological threats and opportunities identification and technological roadmap as tools to improve the portfolio of technological projects

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An appropriate R&D portfolio is essential to the success of a technology plan. This article develops a conceptual model, based on the literature, to identify technological threats and opportunities utilising several sources: customers, competitors, suppliers, new entrants, universities, government regulations and policies, infrastructure and environment. The data from these sources was used to evaluate and improve the R&D portfolio generating new projects. Information obtained from the sources was also useful to design a technological roadmap which helped to generate additional R&D projects. The case method was utilised. The framework was applied to the Brazilian subsidiary of Wahler, a German company of the automotive sector. Results showed that the methodology was useful to redesign the R&D portfolio. Initially there were 75 projects, 21 were discontinued and 20 new projects were added. However, conclusions have to be further tested due to the limitations of the case method. Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.