From Idea to Reality: Keys to Success in Technological Innovation

It's important to have a structured method for assessing a technology's development and readiness levels. This helps mitigate risks, allocate resources effectively, and promote clear communication within teams and with investors.

I first heard about Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) in a class with Professor Alfonso Cruz Novoa, Ph.D., during the #magistereninnovaciónuc program. His explanation helped me understand the importance of measuring the progress of developing technologies.

A Bit of History:

TRLs were initially developed by NASA in the 1970s to assess the technological readiness of their systems and components before integrating them into space missions. This 9-level scale provides a clear framework for measuring the status of a technology from its initial research stage to its implementation in operational environments.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs):

TRL 1-3: Basic research and initial testing.
Example: Discovering basic scientific principles and developing initial technological concepts.

TRL 4-6: Development and validation in simulated environments.
Example: Creating laboratory prototypes and validating under controlled conditions.

TRL 7-9: Demonstration and deployment in real-world conditions.
Example: Operational trials and commercial deployment in the working environment.

It wasn't difficult to relate Professor Cruz's explanation of TRLs to my first conversation with Roberto Celestino Pereira, head of the Technological Innovation Team for Spatial Computing at NTT DATA Brazil. During our discussion, he demonstrated his method of organizing his work backlog and discussed the Innovation Readiness Levels (IRLs) concept.

A Bit of History:

IRLs were developed by the United States Department of Energy to complement TRLs, providing a framework that evaluates aspects such as project management, financing, and market acceptance. These levels offer a comprehensive view of an innovation's readiness for commercialization.

Innovation Readiness Levels (IRLs):

IRL 1-3: Conceptualization and initial planning.
Example: Identifying a market need and developing an initial idea.

IRL 4-6: Business model development and market testing.
Example: Creating a prototype and validating the value proposition with potential customers.

IRL 7-9: Commercialization and scalability.
Example: Launching a product to market and expanding into new geographic markets or customer segments.

Why Are They Important?

Understanding and utilizing TRLs and IRLs enables companies and organizations to manage the development and commercialization of new technologies more effectively. They facilitate risk identification, strategic planning, and investor attraction. These methodological frameworks are essential for balancing our innovation portfolio within the Technological Innovation teams at NTT DATA, ensuring that our initiatives progress in an orderly and efficient manner from conception to implementation.

Conclusion:

Using a framework that allows you to balance your portfolio is essential for any professional involved in technological innovation. These tools facilitate strategic planning and help connect our innovations with our clients' challenges. At NTT DATA, these frameworks enable us to balance our innovation portfolio, optimally managing our resources and efforts to maximize the impact of our technological solutions.