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Technical Professions

Report
Universal Command and Control Language Early System Engineering: Performance Effects of a Universal Command and Control Standard
In a multiyear effort, RAND researchers analyzed the challenges of creating a universal command and control language to facilitate the evolution of systems and interoperability of systems-of-systems for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Feb 21, 2023
News Release
Pittsburgh Science and Technology Sector Is Large, but Faces Challenges; Improvements Needed to Continue to Flourish
The Pittsburgh region has a robust science and technology sector that is larger than the national average, but action is needed to safeguard the region's strengths and further its ability to compete with other technology hubs.
Jan 9, 2023
Tool
Science and Technology-Focused Postsecondary Options in the Pittsburgh Area
RAND researchers compiled a list of science- and technology-focused (STF) providers and programs in the Pittsburgh area. Potential students can filter the list to find out which types of degrees or certificates can be earned in which STF fields.
Jan 9, 2023
Report
Pittsburgh's Science- and Technology-Focused Workforce
About 18 percent of Pittsburgh's employment is in science- and technology-focused occupations, and the growth rate suggests the need for more workers in the future. What investments and policy changes could safeguard the region's strengths and support it as a flourishing science and technology hub?
Jan 9, 2023
Report
Improving the Technical Requirements Development Process for Weapon Systems: A Systems-Based Approach for Managers
Oversights during development of technical requirements for new weapon systems can result in cost or schedule overruns or unsuitable operational performance. This report describes a systems-based approach to help improve this process.
Nov 3, 2022
Journal Article
Review of EPSRC-funded Doctoral Education: A Review of the Literature
This report presents the findings from a literature review on doctoral education in engineering and physical sciences conducted as part of a review of doctoral education currently being conducted by the EPSRC.
Aug 16, 2022
Journal Article
Leak or Link? the Overrepresentation of Women in Non-Tenure-Track Academic Positions in STEM
This paper examines gender variation in departures from the tenure-track science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) academic career pathway to non-tenure-track academic careers.
Jul 7, 2022
Report
Defining Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices for Process Safety Management
The author presents the origin and intention of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP), points of disagreement about the definition, and recommendations for complying with RAGAGEP.
Apr 11, 2022
Report
The Role of Standards in Fostering Capability Evolution: Does Design Matter? Insights from Interoperability Standards
This report presents the findings of a review of two military standards that have enabled significant interoperability and evolution in warfighting to better understand paths toward successful interface standard design in the military environment.
Mar 2, 2022
Report
DoD Cyber Excepted Service Labor Market Analysis and Options for Use of Compensation Flexibilities
In this report, the authors examine labor demand and supply for seven U.S. Department of Defense cyber work roles to help determine whether pay adjustments are necessary to support the recruitment and retention of critical personnel.
Jul 19, 2021
Research Brief
Building Ohio's Workforce Through Stackable Credentials
Ohio has been a leader in scaling stackable credential programs since passing initial legislation on stackable credentials nearly 15 years ago. Over this time, Ohio saw strong growth in short-term credential programs. And most individuals who stacked credentials earned a degree.
Jun 8, 2021
Report
Stackable Credential Pipelines in Ohio: Evidence on Programs and Earnings Outcomes
Stackable credentials allow individuals with short-term credentials to build on them with additional credentials throughout their careers. The authors of this report examined educational programs in Ohio and earnings gains from stacking credentials.
Jun 8, 2021
Essay
The Power of Invention—and the Value of Diversity and Inclusion
Inventions benefit society and improve lives. Their economic impacts show the value of investing in more young people and their opportunities for learning. Policymakers could support programs that encourage more women, racial/ethnic minorities, and people from lower-income families to become inventors.
May 4, 2021
Report
Talent Management for U.S. Department of Defense Knowledge Workers: What Does RAND Corporation Research Tell Us?
A synthesis of results from RAND Corporation research on the U.S. Department of Defense's talent management of knowledge workers features areas for improvement and ways for the department to proactively approach talent management.
Apr 26, 2021
Commentary
How the Military Might Expand Its Cyber Skills
The U.S. military will need to improve its software fluency if it wants to be dominant on the battlefields of the future. Ensuring that future leaders in the military develop cyber skills and the ability to interface with technical experts may be increasingly important.
Apr 22, 2021
Report
What Is the Value of Invention?
Inventions help people around the world live longer, healthier, and more-productive lives. The inventions of Lemelson-MIT Prize winners illustrate the scientific, technological, economic, and social effects that inventions can have on society.
Feb 11, 2021
Report
Compensation and Benefits for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workers: A Comparison of the Federal Government and the Private Sector
The authors compare salary, benefits, and employment for federal and private-sector workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They analyze data, present findings on STEM and non-STEM workers, and make recommendations.
Jan 19, 2021
Report
The Composition and Employment of Software Personnel in the U.S. Department of Defense: An Initial Analysis
The authors identify and characterize a subset of the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD's) software workforce, the types of software developed within DoD, and the variety of methods DoD programs use when employing that workforce to develop software.
Dec 24, 2020
Report
Monetary and Nonmonetary Compensation for High-Value U.S. Department of Defense Civilian Skill Sets
Motivated by concern that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will struggle to recruit and retain civilian talent for the U.S. Space Force, the authors compared DoD and private-sector monetary and nonmonetary compensation for high-value skill sets.
Nov 16, 2020
Research Brief
How Can the United States Prepare a Workforce for Advanced Manufacturing Using Robotics?
As industrial robots become more advanced, there likely will be a shortage of technicians with the skills to work with, program, and repair them. This brief presents findings of RAND researchers' analysis of the state of training for these workers.
Jul 6, 2020

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Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Nicholas A. O'Donoughue

Senior Engineer

Nicholas O'Donoughue is a senior engineer at RAND. He is a radar signal processing expert with experience in algorithm development and systems analysis of airborne and spaceborne ISR systems, particularly concerning electronic warfare. He has led studies across RAND's three defense-related…
Rafiq Dossani

Director, RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy

Rafiq Dossani is director of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy, a senior economist at the RAND Corporation, and a professor of policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He works on education, finance, regional development, security, trade, and technology issues. Recent projects…

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