Technology readiness levels in a nutshell

1. Technology readiness levels in a nutshell 4 3 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 Basic principles observed Technology concept formulated Experimental proofof concept Tech. valid. in relevant environment Demonstration in operational environment Technology validation in lab Demonstration in relevant environment System complete and qualified Successful mission operations KET Pilot Lines and demonstrator projects Societal challenges Manufacturing and KET Deployment projects Industrial leadership Technological Research Excellence in Science • Advantages : • Provides a common understanding of technology status • Risk management • Used to make decisions concerning technology funding • Used to make decisions concerning transition of technology • Limitations: • Readiness does not necessarily fit with appropriateness or technology maturity • A mature product may possess a greater or lesser degree of readiness for use in a particular system context than one of lower maturity • Numerous factors must be considered, including the relevance of the products’ operational environment to the system at hand, as well as the product-system architectural mismatch • Current TRL models tend to disregard negative and obsolescence factors. There have been suggestions made for incorporating such factors into assessments. • Linear innovation model NASA

2. Technology readiness levels