Technology Readiness levels (TRL)
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a system utilized to measure the maturity of an emerging technology. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) initially created TRLs to supplement their management of technological advancements, but now it has been adopted throughout various industries as a reliable method to assess the technological readiness of a specific invention.
In this blog, we will discuss what Technology Readiness Levels are, and how they are used in the industry and technology sector.
What are Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)?
Technology Readiness Levels, commonly abbreviated as TRL, is a type of metric system used to evaluate the development stage of a specific technology. It’s a nine-level scale (1-9) that measures the advancement of certain technology in terms of its stability, maturity, and preparedness for the market. The scale utilizes numerical values from 1 to 9, with 1 indicative of basic research stage to 9 representing commercialization or implementation phase of technology. Hence, as the rating goes higher along the TRL scale, its readiness for application in the industry also intensifies.
I. Applications of Technology Readiness Levels
TRL is primarily deployed across the science and technology sector and is widely used in supporting strategic planning for innovation management. The following applications are some areas where TRL plays an essential role:
1. Support Strategic Planning: TRL is useful for tracking technological progress and manages resources spent at each stage.
2. Facilitate technology transfer: Technology in TRL stages 7-9 is more readily transferable than technologies in lower levels.
3. Developing Technology Roadmaps: TRL is widely used for developing technology roadmaps using which organizations can gauge their readiness for future technological requirements.
4. Investment Decision Support: Investors use TRL scores to make informed decisions on investment opportunities that offer better returns on investments.
5. Funding Opportunities: Funding bodies also apply TRL ratings when awarding sponsorships to scientists and organizations developing novel technologies.
6. Regulatory bodies: The TRL framework is useful for regulatory entities that require information on the readiness of technologies being developed before they are approved and certified.
II. Importance of Technology Readiness Levels
Technological development is a continuous, evolutionary process with its unique challenges and opportunities. As a technology matures from an initial idea to commercialization-worthy technology, it requires investments at every stage of the development process. The TRL framework provides a reliable way to measure technological progress and understand what is required at each stage.
TRL thus plays a vital role in supporting decision-making processes from technology feasibility studies through implementing innovations in modern systems. It offers a clear snapshot of the advancement stages of a technology, helps control innovative risks, raises the probability of successful adoption of new technology, accelerates innovation, and drives economies of scale through introductions to new markets.
III. Levels of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
There are nine levels of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) commonly used to assess the maturity of new technologies:
1. Basic principles observed and reported
2. Concept formulated
3. Proof of concept
4. Technology validated in a lab
5. Technology validated in a relevant environment
6. System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment
7. System prototype demonstration in an operational environment
8. Actual system completed and “flight qualified” through test and demonstration
9. Actual system proven through successful mission operations
Each stage represents a higher level of technological development and readiness for practical application. The TRL system is often used in aerospace, engineering, and other high-tech industries to evaluate the progress of technological development.
