Basic Steps in NIJ's Technology Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Process

The RDT&E process helps ensure that NIJ's research portfolios are aligned to best address the technology needs of the criminal justice community. The rigorous process has five phases:

Phase 1: Determine technology needs. Principally in partnership with TWGs and LECTAC, NIJ identifies criminal justice practitioners' functional requirements for new tools and technologies.

Phase 2: Develop technology program plans to address those needs. A multiyear research program is created to address the needs identified in phase 1. One of the first steps is to determine whether products that meet those needs currently exist or whether they must be developed. If a solution is already available, phases 2 and 3 are not necessary, and NIJ moves directly to demonstration, testing and evaluation in phase 4. If solutions do not currently exist, they are solicited through annual, competitively awarded science and technology solicitations. TWG members help review the applications.

Phase 3: Develop solutions. Appropriate solicitations are developed. Grantees are selected through an open, competitive, peer-reviewed process, and grants are awarded. The grantee and the NIJ program manager then work collaboratively to develop the solutions.

Phase 4: Demonstrate, test, evaluate and adopt potential solutions into practice. A potential solution is tested to determine how well it addresses the intended functional requirement. NIJ then works with first-adopting agencies to facilitate the introduction of the solution into practice. After adoption, the solution's impact on practice is evaluated. During the testing and evaluation process, performance standards and guides are developed as appropriate to ensure safety and effectiveness; not all new solutions will require the publication of new standards or guides.

Phase 5: Build capacity and conduct outreach. To ensure that the new tool or technology benefits practitioners, NIJ publishes guides and standards and provides technology assistance to second adopters.