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In the exploration and field mapping stage, PMs need to understand the landscape of research, technology and potential performers in the relevant domains. This module provides strategic insights on field mapping, practical networking and technical exploration tips, guidance on identifying bottlenecks and key risks, and a case study from DARPA's history to illustrate these concepts in action.
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⚡Practical outcomes:
- An overview of existing R&D efforts
- An analysis of the rationale behind each group's focus
- Identification of bottlenecks within the current landscape
- Potential new applications and capabilities that could emerge from overcoming these bottlenecks
- A list of specific users who would benefit from these new capabilities
- A preliminary program proposal to address these bottlenecks
- An outline of the types of performers suitable for the contract
- Initial ideas on the long-term translation and impact of the project
The two-pager doesn’t need to be perfect at this stage, as it will be tightened in the subsequent idea refinement module. It may also be useful to keep a longer version on hand, offering deeper technical insights, caveats, and contingencies.
🌋 Quick examples of “DARPA hard” problems
Before diving into the content, it’s useful to first list out some prototypical examples of problems considered “DARPA hard.” This will give prospective PMs in DARPA-like roles a clearer understanding of the level of technical ambition their programs should be encouraged to achieve. Classic structures of “DARPA hard” technical goals are:
- The 10X: Improving a key scientific metric or capability or reducing measures like the size or cost of a technological capability by a factor of 10 (the classic example is miniaturized GPS in the 90s)
- The merger: Combining two distinct fields, as the Rockefeller Foundation did in the 1930s with biology and physics, various advances from entomology and robotics, bio-inspired computing or the many recent examples of AI+X
- The multi-tool: Developing tools with broad applications such as new scientific instruments, computer chips designed specifically for life sciences use cases, scientific software that fills a common gap or even things like the CRISPR toolkit.
💡What you will learn in this process
In pursuit of these technically ambitious goals, thorough exploration and field mapping are vital. This broad term encompasses several key activities, including: