Technology Readiness Level Calculator Assessing Technology Readiness

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Technology Readiness Level CalculatorAssessing
Technology Readiness Development Seminar April
28, 2005

• William L. Nolte, P.E., CQE
• Sensors Directorate
• Air Force Research Laboratory

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What Is the TRL Calculator?
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion

• Tool for applying NASAs Technology Readiness
  Levels (TRLs) to technology development programs
• Microsoft Excel spreadsheet application
• Standard set of questions about the program
• Graphically displays TRL achieved
• Provides repeatable system for measuring a
  technologys maturity
• Snap shot of program maturity at a given time
• Historical picture of whats been done so far

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What Is the TRL Calculator?

• TRLs are a uni-dimensional scale used to provide
  a measure of technology maturity
• Calculator includes two additional dimensions
• Manufacturing readiness level (MRL)
• Programmatic readiness level (PRL)
• Calculator allows TRL measurement for three
  technology types
• Hardware only
• Software only
• Both hardware and software

Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Technology Life CycleThe Whale Chart
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
The Whale Chart provides a biological metaphor
for the Technology Life Cycle A technologys
usefulness changes over time Utility increases as
a technology matures Later utility decreases as a
technology becomes obsolete
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Technology Life CycleExceptions
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
Basic technologies Simple machines,
etc. Reached maturity long ago Utility continues
into far future Infrastructure technologies
Electricity, Highways, etc. Maintain utility
because everyone needs them Presence gives no
competitive advantage, but absence brings
disadvantage May evolve over time
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Product Life Cycle
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
The Product Life Cycle is similar to the
Technology Life Cycle Applies to a single
product Usually product development starts with a
mature technology
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Product Life Cycle
Multiple products often use the same underlying
technology
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
Figure shows many product life cycles embedded in
one technology life cycle Note that first product
starts after technology has matured to some
extent The technology survives individual
products that use it Sharply peaked curves
represent fad products
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DoD NASA Life Cycle
DoD Project Life Cycle (DODI 5000.2, Operation of
the Defense Acquisition System )
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
NASA Project Life Cycle
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The Whale Chart 2
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
This version of the Whale Chart maps the
Technology Life Cycle to the DoD and NASA Project
Life Cycle and Program Milestones Technology
Readiness Levels occur early in the Technology
Life Cycle
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TRL DescriptionsHardware Software
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Software TRL Clarifications AFRL
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Software TRL Clarifications AFRL
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
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Software TRL Clarifications AFRL
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Decision Process Flowchart
Answer Questions
For each TRL
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
Enoughfor Green?
Enoughfor Yellow?
No
No
Yes
Yes
One ormore at this orhigher TRL ?
No
Prior TRLN/A Green orYellow?
Prior TRLN/A or Green?
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
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Color Codes
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Calculator Features
Three types of technology
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
Three different technology maturity
dimensions Technology itself Usual meaning of
TRL Manufacturing / Producibility MRL
(Sometimes EMRL) Programmatic concerns PRL
Documentation, Customer focus
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Calculator Features
Horizontal display shows the overall TRL
achieved, an aggregate of scores achieved on the
Technology, Manufacturing, and Programmatic
dimensions, if selected (Red, Yellow, Green)
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
Green and Yellow TRL achieved displayed
numerically Summary Sheet
The Summary sheet displays the overall TRL
achieved
Calculator Sheet
The Calculator sheet shows the TRL achieved along
the Technology dimension only
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Calculator Features
Green and Yellow set points can be changed on the
Summary Sheet using the spinners. Default values
shown below
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
Questions can be answered by check box or
complete slider complete turns green when value
is high enough to count
User can assume completion of TRLs 1 3 without
answering questions
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TRL Calculator Questions TOP LEVEL
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Percent Complete Settings
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
The Percent Complete for individual questions can
be set by using the spinner on the Calculator
sheet. Default value is 100
This is the how much of an individual task or
question must be accomplished before the
calculator includes it as completed in performing
TRL calculations. Used with slider input
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Tailoring the Calculator
Deleting questions that dont apply to your
program
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
Can delete question by deleting either the
Technology Type (H, S, B) or the Question
Category (T, M, P)
Adding questions
Type question in any blank white line at desired
TRL level Be sure to fill in the Technology Type
and Question Category
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TRL Calculator ST Program in Early Development
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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TRL Calculator ST Program Ready to Transition
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
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Issues

• TRL Is One Dimension of Technology Maturity
• Measuring Technology Maturity Is a
  Multi-Dimensional Problem
• Producibility Manufacturing Readiness Levels
  Are Undergoing Continuing Review
• Programmatics Are Oriented to DoD, Specifically
  USAF Requirements
• Other Technology Types Exist
• Bio-Medical Technologies
• Practice Based Technologies
• Learning Systems
• Knowledge Based Technologies
• Process for Measuring Maturity of System of
  Systems Is Not Defined

Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Conclusion

• AFRL Developed a TRL Calculator for Hardware and
  Software
• Calculator Standardizes the Process of Applying
  TRLs to Research and Development Programs
• Next Steps
• Section 508 Compliance (Accessibility for Persons
  with Disabilities)
• Develop Final Set of Software Descriptions
• Incorporate Changing MRL Descriptions
• Refine Questions Based on User Feedback

Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
Calculator Conclusion
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Discussion / Questions
Introduction TechnologyLife Cycle SoftwareTRLs
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Backup Slides
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TRL DefinitionsNASA
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Software TRL Clarifications Army CECOM
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Software TRL ClarificationsArmy CECOM
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Software TRL Clarifications Army CECOM
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Software TRL Clarifications NASA
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Source K. Swanson,NASA Ames Research Center
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Software TRL Clarifications NASA
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Color Conventions
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TRL Calculator Questions TOP LEVEL
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TRL CalculatorQuestions TRL 1
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TRL CalculatorQuestions TRL 2
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