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WORKABILITY OF MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS 



Permitting Flexibility and Innovation 



When a technology is in its early stages of research and development, 

 it will become clear as results are obtained that new directions 

 should be pursued and change.s should be made in the current program. 

 Thus, a process flexible enough to change with new technological 

 information will in the long run make for a viable program rather than 

 one burdened with outmoded concepts or unwise decisions. This 

 feature, however, requires a careful structuring, since flexibility 

 can also be the mechanism that produces unreliable partners. While 

 there should be flexibility to change the priorities and program, it 

 should be within the context of the agreement by the participants as 

 opposed to unilateral action. 



Site Selection 



A frequent sticking point in large international projects is agreement 

 on the site for substantial facilities. The JET project underwent 

 great difficulty before its site, adjacent to Culham Laboratory, was 

 settled. Keen rivalry for the site of the Next European Torus is 

 already occur ing. While site selection would normally occur on a 

 case-by-case basis, it may be possible to spell out in the umbrella 

 agreements the procedures and processes to be used in deciding on the 

 location of facilities. 



Partnership Shares 



The extent of the participation of each of the partners is another 

 factor subject to balance in establishing a cooperative project. 

 Depending on circumstances, any degree of participation, from a junior 

 role to full equality, may offer acceptable benefits. Obviously, the 

 greater the degree of participation, the greater the voice that 

 partner should have in decisions about the project's objectives, 

 scope, approach, schedules, and cost, and the earlier that voice 

 should be heard. 



Practical Matters 



A joint international project is complicated, but it can work if it is 

 carefully planned and skillfully executed. Mechanisms must be 

 established for creating an organizational entity and management 

 structure. Procedures must be adopted for procurement, quality 

 assurance, audits, and inspections. The authority of the project 

 director, technical and political oversight mechanisms, national 



