The first phase of the project involved a review and assessment of the contract research performance of ARC. The evaluation included four key criteria:
1) extent of linking high technologies and the natural resource industries,
2) success in achieving access to national and international technologies,
3) effectiveness of resource inventory and assessment programs, and
4) progress in meeting financial targets.

The second phase included an analysis of the progress made by ARC since the publication of its previous long range plan in 1979. ARC's performance was measured in part by a shift in contract research from 10% of total revenues in 1980 to 30% in 1990. A new corporate plan was prepared which set a target of 50% for the year 2000.