Grain quality technology advancement framework

Stage 1 – Project Proposal

• A project proposal is drafted using the Canadian Grain Commission Technology Project Proposal template. Once completed submit to tech1@grainscanada.gc.ca.
• Proposals can originate from any source (e.g. other government departments, technology company, producer organization, academia, grain company, etc.). A Canadian Grain Commission project sponsor is identified to be the liaison between the Canadian Grain Commission and the external organization.
• Required information includes the rationale, objectives, time, cost, resources, participants, background and foreground intellectual property and intellectual property ownership, the benefits to Canadian Grain Commission and the Canadian grain sector stakeholders, including producers, and any other factors as the Canadian Grain Commission deems necessary.
• Proposals are submitted to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Technology Evaluation Committee^{Footnote 3} at tech1@grainscanada.gc.ca.

Stage 2 – Proposal review and approval

• Proposals are reviewed and initially assessed by the Canadian Grain Commission’s Technology Evaluation Committee.
• The Canadian Grain Commission’s Innovation and Strategy division, in consultation with Legal Counsel, reviews the proposal to identify management of intellectual property, potential conflict of interest, policy implications, or other issues that could impact the feasibility of the project.
• If necessary, additional information is requested to help facilitate the decision-making process. For example, this could include manufacturer’s validation data.
• Proposals are assessed using a points system. Assessment includes considerations such as alignment to the Canadian Grain Commission’s mandate and science strategy, needs and potential benefits associated with the technology, potential risks, and compliance with government policies.
• Additional considerations include resource requirements, including human resource requirements, grain sample availability, equipment costs, and source of funds.
• Approved proposals are forwarded to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Executive Management Committee for information.
• Approved project proposals may be prioritized based on factors such as sample availability and Canadian Grain Commission resource availability as necessary.

Stage 3 – Agreements/contracts

• Upon project approval, agreements are prepared in consultation with Canadian Grain Commission Legal Counsel and the Canadian Grain Commission Contracts Officer.
• Consideration is given to funding, non-disclosure/confidentiality, publication of results, and ownership of background and foreground intellectual property as per the Canadian Grain Commission’s Intellectual Property Policy.
• Interested parties are advised as required.

Stage 4 – Preliminary Technology Development and Evaluation

• Canadian Grain Commission staff prepare a development and evaluation protocol for the project, construct a work breakdown, and select the appropriate criteria for assessment.
• Small-scale trials begin and conclude.
• Results are presented to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Technology Evaluation Committee for consideration and recommendation.
• Recommendations from the Technology Evaluation Committee could include:
  • closing out the project and ending at stage 4 (i.e. no further Canadian Grain Commission involvement),
  • continuing preliminary technology development and evaluation on a small scale (i.e. continuation in stage 4), or
  • advancing to stage 5 to initiate operational scale evaluation (see note).
• Recommendations are presented to the Canadian Grain Commission’s Executive Management Committee where decisions are made on resourcing and next steps.
• Results are communicated to stakeholders as per initial project agreements. If further evaluation is to take place, interested parties are notified and additional agreements/contracts are prepared as required.
• If appropriate, a broader communications plan is developed.

Note: To advance to stage 5, technology must be deemed potentially feasible for adoption into the official grain quality assurance system.

Stage 5 – Confirmatory Operational Scale Evaluation for technology that has potential to be adopted into the official grain quality assurance system

• If confirmatory evaluation is approved by the Executive Management Committee, the Canadian Grain Commission creates a Stakeholder Working Group^{Footnote 4} to provide input on risk assessment and reaffirming criteria for success.
• Success criteria will focus on:
  • Repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy, cost of operation, transferability to an operational environment and potential constraints for adoption-at-scale
• The Eastern and Western Grain Standards Committees are informed and a communications plan is developed and used to inform all other relevant parties.
• Large-scale confirmatory evaluation trials are conducted and include participants from outside the Canadian Grain Commission, as guided by the Stakeholder Working Group. The new technology is mirrored with a proven method or the existing grading system.
• External participants evaluate the technology and update the project’s risk assessment given their operational experiences.
• The Canadian Grain Commission and the Stakeholder Working Group are continuously updated throughout the project at regular intervals as determined in the project agreements.
• Upon completion of the first year of confirmatory evaluation, a decision on viability is made by the Canadian Grain Commission based on the project results and the Stakeholder Working Group’s evaluation of the technology. Wider consultations on the viability of adoption of new technology may take place upon recommendation of the Stakeholder Working Group or the Canadian Grain Commission.
• In most cases, a minimum of a second year of evaluation would be required to verify, confirm, and ensure the technology is sound under varying conditions.

Stage 6 – Final Decision and Communication

• A final assessment and recommendation on viability is made by the Canadian Grain Commission’s Technology Evaluation Committee based on the project results and the Stakeholder Working Group’s evaluation and recommendations with respect to the technology.
• Assessment and recommendations are presented to the Western and Eastern Grain Standards Committees for consideration and input.
• Findings are presented to the Executive Management Committee for information.
• Final decision on technology adoption into the official grain quality assurance system is made by the Commission.
• Detailed communications plans are prepared to convey decision on the technology to all identified internal and external stakeholders.

Stage 7 – Implementation

• In consultation with Stakeholder Working Group, a detailed roll-out plan is prepared focusing on:
  • Equipment purchases, training and logistical requirements, financial implications, timelines, and communication strategies
• Detailed communication plans are prepared.

Stage 8 – Monitoring

• Over a predetermined period, ongoing monitoring and reporting of the implementation takes place. This includes verification that critical points of assessment remain accurate and that results are effectively communicated to stakeholders.