Development of methodologies and guidelines
A Methodology is the systematic and theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a field of study, research, survey, or any other similar planned activity. It comprises the theoretical approach to the set of methods and principles in a certain field or science. A methodology provides a theoretical foundation to choose the right method, set of methods or the so-called “best practices” for a specific aim, e.g. to achieve certain outputs.
A Guideline is a set of recommendations and rules steering the course to a certain activity or measure. A guideline aims to streamline particular processes in accordance with a set of accepted practices. Generally, guidelines are neither obligatory nor binding, and cannot be enforced. Guidelines may be developed, issued, recommended and followed by any organization (state entity, public organization or private enterprise) to make the activities of its staff or departments more streamlined and straightforward, effective and of a better quality.
The methodology and guideline services offered by AM Partners vary by the features below:
- Purpose: way of ultimate use of an output: whether the methodology/guideline is used for a research/study/survey, mapping out techniques for the actions in question, streamlining the operation of a functional unit, etc.;
- Thematic: fields of output use. The examples of such deliverables provided by AM Partners relate to the fields of innovations, financial literacy and capacities, innovation readiness assessment, etc.
- Extent of authority: In exceptional cases, methodologies/guidelines are compulsory or widely adopted in a certain location for certain purposes. Most often, they are strongly recommended, but the failure to follow them does not cause any implications.