Abstract: In order to construct harmonious cooperative relationships and guarantee major Scientific and Technical (S&T) programs is able to be completed with the high quality, the possible key cooperative interfaces for implementing major S&T programs are identified from the aspects of project input and output, project organization structure, and project management process. After that, based on the meaning extension of the concept connotation of conventional order parameter, the core competence is arranged to be the macro order parameter reflecting the overall function of a cooperative interface. Finally, a decision making method is proposed to identify key cooperative interfaces via DEMATEL. A case study indicates that the proposed theory and method are of benefit to guide cooperative management in major S&T programs.

Key words: major S&T program, cooperative interface, macro order parameter, key interface identification