is to be oriented to accelerating the rates of scien- 

 tific and technical advance and to raising the effi- 

 ciency of production along the following broad lines: 



1. The creation and introduction of fundamental- 

 ly new tools, materials, and technological 

 processes which surpass the best domestic and 

 world standards 



2 . The comprehensive improvement of product qual- 

 ity in all sectors of the national economy 



3. A rapid rise in the technical level of the 

 stock of technological equipment and a faster 

 pace of replacement and modernization of ob- 

 solete machines and units 



4. A reduction in the amount of materials con- 

 sumed in production by improving the product 

 mix and the design of machinery, by using ad- 

 vanced technology, and by utilizing more ful- 

 ly raw and other materials 



5. A rise in the level of electrification of pro- 

 duction and in the efficiency of energy use 



6. The creation of machine systems for complete 

 mechanization and automation of the most im- 

 portant production processes in industry, 

 construction, agriculture, and transportation 



7. The renovation of existing and introduction 

 of progressive standards and specifications 

 for achieving a high technological level and 

 quality of output 



8. The broad introduction of modern methods of 

 planning, organizing, and managing production, 

 including the use of up-to-date business mach- 

 ines and computer technology. ^ 



These broad directions, expressed in terms of appro- 

 priate volumes, rates, and proportions, have subse- 

 quently been referred to by Soviet science policy of- 

 ficials as "basic indicators" for measuring scientif- 

 ic and technical progress. ^9 



108 



