Testing torque — A quantitative R&D resource-allocation system

This paper discusses the Air Force experiment in testing the resource-allocation model called Technology or Research Quantitative Utility Evaluation (TORQUE). This model, which was developed by an interservice team for the Department of Defense (DOD), provides for a closer coupling between future desired military capabilities and laboratory efforts. Specifically, it addresses the area of exploratory development projects and tasks and attempts to provide a balanced allocation of resources within the laboratory. This paper gives the background of TORQUE, the methodology utilized, and some of the findings. A complete appraisal of TORQUE has not yet been made by the Air Force and, therefore, the final evaluation of the technique has not yet been determined.