What We Do - BMAED

Meets twice annually to examine issues of national importance to manufacturing and engineering design, and to determine Board direction.
Provides a public forum for issues of importance to the field of manufacturing and engineering design:

disseminates results of Board studies and other activities
provides user-friendly Web pages as a gateway to reliable information
writes op-ed and policy articles based on Board activities
provides requested information to the Administration and Congress
participates in manufacturing and engineering design coordination activities

Coordinates with overall activities of the National Academies in areas of education, innovation, and awareness. Ensures that manufacturing and engineering design issues are considered in studies and activities carried out by other Boards in the National Academies.
Studies pressing issues of the day. The following general categories constitute most of the Manufacturing Board's programmatic activities. Other activities are also possible under the guidelines of the Academies that are pursuant to the goals of advising the nation and facilitating high-level discussion. How we carry out these activities is governed by the Academies' guidelines.

Holds Topical Workshops (as well as similar meetings which may be called research briefings, symposia, conferences, or forums) to increase visibility and awareness for manufacturing and engineering design issues. These may be organized in as little as a month, may or may not include a proceedings or a summary report, or may use an appointed committee and produce a consensus report with NRC recommendations.
Performs Narrow-Focus Studies to answer a specific technical or policy question, or to provide a fast response to a pressing issue. This activity includes appointing a knowledgeable committee as well as some degree of research and other fact-finding to support the committee's findings. Full activity reporting is required, as well as a full-consensus report review. The standard timeframe for such a study is 6-12 months.
Performs In-Depth Studies to thoroughly address an overarching, multifaceted question with diligence and rigor. This activity includes appointing a distinguished committee as well as comprehensive research and analysis. Full activity reporting is required, as well as a full-consensus report review. The products of such an activity may also include interim reports, letter reports, and one or more 'open' meetings, similar to workshops. The standard timeframe for such a study is 12-18 months.
Facilitates Topical Roundtables to bring together policy makers, technical experts, and practitioners for discussion. The Roundtable may set any schedule for meetings or workshops, and produces no reports or recommendations. No activity reporting is required. Committee members are appointed by standard Academies procedure, except for government members who are appointed by virtue of their position title rather than their personal resume.
Assesses Technical Programs to provide advisory guidance to federal initiatives and organizations. This may be a one-time or on-going activity. Full activity reporting is required, as well as a full-consensus report review.
Empanels Standing Committees to maintain awareness of issues of continuing importance. Standing committees may issue letter reports or sponsor other NRC activities listed above. Committee members are appointed, and full activity reporting is required for all committee activities.