The IZT evaluated ten selected methods of futurology and technology assessment with regard to their potential benefits for the German Bundestag. The result is a practice-oriented compendium in which the procedures are presented comparatively with regard to goals, prerequisites and processes, as well as time and costs. In addition to a comprehensive description, the compendium also contains a compact overview of the methods in the form of factsheets with all essential information. The TA method study is intended to explore innovative and participatory methodological procedures of futurology and technology assessment and to evaluate them with regard to their potential benefits for the German Bundestag.

The aim of the TA method study was to select a spectrum of about nine to twelve participatory methods based on their potential benefits for the German Bundestag and to present them comparatively, practically and clearly. Criteria for the selection of the methods were the estimated potential benefits for the timely integration of current expert knowledge on scientific and technological developments, the differentiated integration of experience and design knowledge, especially from citizens, or the needs-oriented translation of the findings identified in the TA studies into options for action for the German Bundestag.

The applicability of the methods for TAB studies and expert reports should be specifically considered. The TA method study should support TAB's topic identification process, which began in autumn 2018, with up-to-date knowledge and be available in report form as compactly prepared knowledge for the technical-methodological conception of future TA studies.

As a prelude, a strategically oriented analysis of innovative methods of futurology and technology assessment in the national, European and international spheres was carried out. The procedures explored were then evaluated with regard to their potential benefits for the German Bundestag. For this purpose, the expertise and competences of all TAB partners were to be used in a validation workshop, in which the selected procedures were presented by the IZT and subjected to a joint evaluation with regard to their suitability for parliamentary TA and, if applicable, TA topics already specifically proposed.