F.13. Technology Readiness Levels
TRLs are a technology management tool that provides an indication of the technical maturity of a project by identifying risk associated with technology and system integration. They assist in reducing overall project risk and the likelihood of project delay due to immature technology in the Development and Manufacture phases of the acquisition lifecycle. An overview of TRLs is given in Figure F-20.
Source: AOF website
Figure F-20: Overview of Technology Readiness Levels
A TRL assessment is useful leading up to a major decision point, with evidence from the assessment supporting a business case. In the case of the MoD:
• at Initial Gate, IPTs need to estimate the programme and resources and required to ensure that technologies will be suitably mature at the end of assessment phase;
• achieving TRL 3 at Initial Gate allows potential technologies to become adequately mature at the end of assessment;
• at Main Gate, TRL 7 allows estimates to be made about what is necessary to achieve ISD but trade off options are also continuously reviewed; and