STAMINA
Science & Technology Innovation for Homeland Security
Project Summary
Science and Technology Analysis and Management of Innovation Activity (STAMINA), a multi-phase project at CREATE, has developed a framework and tools to evaluate the transition of research and development outputs and products into practice to improve the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE). Our focus is integrated Benefit-Cost-Risk Analysis across the R&D lifecycle, through implementation, uptake and full adoption.
Lifecycle Transition Process
STAMINA evaluates R&D projects for the 3-phase DHS BPF framework of lifecycle transition, beginning with understanding needs, next addressing needs, and third, execution. These three phases are followed by post-transition implementation and uptake, during which indicators of success are tracked along with costs in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017.
STAMINA Project Timeline
Defining and Tracking Transition Outcomes
CREATE is enhancing the DHS Transition Branch’s capabilities by:
- Defining clear categories of knowledge and technology products to better document and track how research outputs, such as decision-support tools, data systems, and operational models, are transitioned for use by DHS and partner agencies.
- Developing methods for identifying and measuring Indicators of Success (IoS), which help evaluate whether transitioned products are generating operational, strategic, or economic value across the Homeland Security Enterprise.
- Evaluating benefits from R&D transitions using a structured, multi-stage logic model that connects early outputs (such as prototypes or analyses) with long-term impacts like full operational adoption or national security improvement.
Turning R&D into Measurable Outcomes
Monetizing Benefits
STAMINA uses real-world estimates—such as analyst time saved or mission hours avoided—to translate research outcomes into economic impact.
Applied Logic Model
Value is tracked across four phases:
- Output (what was built)
- Outcome (who used it)
- Operational Impact (what changed)
- Value (economic or mission gain)
Flexible Tools for Evaluation
STAMINA supports program managers with practical templates, coaching, and success metrics to help evaluate and plan transitions.
- Templates for logic models & value cases
- Transition readiness checklists
- Dashboards for reporting impact
Evaluating R&D Impact
To evaluate whether research transitions produce lasting impact, CREATE developed an Indicators of Success (IoS) framework. This framework links Knowledge Products and Technology Products to real-world outcomes, such as operational adoption and mission value.
Output
Research tools, reports, or datasets produced by R&D
Outcome
Transitioned into DHS component use or partner adoption
Operational Impact
Improved speed, accuracy, or cost efficiency in field use
HSE Value
Broad mission impact: increased safety, savings, or security
Direct Measurements of R&D Success
Each transitioned R&D product is evaluated using targeted metrics based on its function and expected value. These Indicators of Success (IoS) fall into three main categories:
Cost Savings
- Reduced manual processing
- Minimized redundancy in workflows
- Lower resource consumption
Operational Improvements
- Faster response times
- Increased automation
- Enhanced decision accuracy
Security Impact
- Improved threat detection
- Increased coordination between agencies
- Strengthened national resilience
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Our methodology accounts for full life cycle benefits and costs of R&D projects, from inception to retirement, along with the time value of money. Costs include R&D, acquisition, operation, and maintenance, while benefits include full societal benefits, including those internal and external to DHS.
Risk Analysis
Risks are the uncertainties of adverse outcomes, including R&D projects that fail to meet design expectations, failure to transition into practice, and fail to fulfill cost and benefit intentions once implemented. STAMINA’s risk assessment methodology incorporates uncertainty and estimates both expected outcomes and probability distributions for these outcomes.
Risk Analysis
Risks are the uncertainties of adverse outcomes, including R&D projects that fail to meet design expectations, failure to transition into practice, and fail to fulfill cost and benefit intentions once implemented. STAMINA’s risk assessment methodology incorporates uncertainty and estimates
both expected outcomes and probability distributions for these outcomes.
Analysis Tools
STAMINA’s integrated Benefit-Cost-Risk-Analysis (BCRA) tool has been programmed within EXCEL to support east user-friendly implementation. The tool will be available on this website in the 3 rd Quarter of 2025.