Technological and commercial readiness
The TRL system provides a consistent metric to help determine how close a technology is to being ready for its intended use, with a scale ranging from 1 to 9 that measures the developmental progress of a technology, from conceptualisation to full operational deployment.[1]
Progression through the TRLs represents the path from idea conception to operational application, aiding stakeholders in evaluating and managing technological risks:
- Early Stage Research (TRLs 1-3): Initial scientific exploration of basic principles, further formulation of technology concepts, and proof-of-concept demonstration through analytical and experimental work.
- Development and Demonstration (TRLs 4-6): Validation of components in controlled and relevant environments, progressing to a prototype demonstration in a relevant or simulated setting.
- System, Test, Launch, and Operations (TRLs 7-9): Prototype testing in operational environments, final system completion and qualification, culminating in proven performance through successful operations.
CRI evaluates the extent to which a product is ready for commercialisation. CRI is a less well-established metric compared to TRL and there are different scales used for CRI; the one adopted for this study ranges from 1-6.[2] CRI considers factors such as regulatory approvals, market demand, and production scalability.
- Early Stage Commercialisation (CRI 1-2): Initial hypothetical commercial propositions driven by technology advocates, transitioning into commercial trials lacking empirical commercial value evidence.
- Development (CRI 3-4): Commercial scale-up with risky financing, evolving into multiple commercial applications with decreasing subsidisation and new financing attracted by public information availability.
- Market Maturity (CRI 5-6): Competitive market driving widespread technology deployment, culminating in a "bankable" grade asset class with well-understood commercial performance minimizing financial decision risk.
Together, TRL and CRI provide an overall understanding of a technology or product's viability and potential success in the market.
Explore the map for more details about each of the alternatives.
TRI score description: 1 = Basic principles observed (conceptual stage); 2 = Technology concept formulated (evaluation & proof of concept); 3 = Experimental proof of concept (lab tested or simulated); 4 = Technology validated in a lab (testing & optimisation ongoing); 5 = Technology validated in relevant environment (incl. performance & reliability testing); 6 = Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (successful prototype); 7 = Prototype demonstrated in operational environment (incl. performance & reliability testing; 8 = Technology system complete & qualified through testing & demonstration (final system in place); 9 = Technology proven in operational environmental (full-scale deployment & commercialisation).
CRI score description: 1 = Hypothetical commercial proposition (conceptual stage, w/ product design, some market analysis, and business plan developed); 2 = Commercial trial (technology tested on the market); 3 = Commercial scale up (manufacturing processes est., w/ quality control measures, ready for wider distribution); 4 = Multiple commercial applications (additional marketable functions or uses); 5 = Market competition driving widespread deployment; 6 = ‘Bankable’ grade asset class, w/ stable economic value & future prospects.
[1] EURAXESS, ‘About Technology Readiness levels,’ no date, https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/career-development/researchers/manual-scientific-entrepreneurship/major-steps/trl (accessed 30 October 2023).
[2] Heder M, ‘From NASA to EU: the evolution of the TRL scale in Public Sector Innovation,’ The Public Sector Innovation Journal, 2017, 22(2).