The use of readiness levels to describe system maturity has become an increasingly recognizable element of the development of technologies for future products in the aerospace and defence sectors. Technology readiness levels (TRLs), as originally defined by NASA, are now widely used by global organizations to articulate the relative maturity of key generic technologies. The implementation of radically new manufacturing capability can also benefit from such an approach. However, the direct use of TRLs in a manufacturing environment is problematic on the basis that it is hard to interpret them precisely, and because the effectiveness of the technology itself is only one of a number of success factors associated with a successful implementation. For several years now the aerospace industry has recognized the need for a manufacturing specific readiness interpretation to enable the delivery of new capabilities in a defined sequence of events. This paper describes an approach used within a single aerospace organization, Rolls-Royce plc. The framework has been identified as a good practice by the UK Aerospace Design and Manufacturing National Technical Committee.
Technological change is a major factor in gaining competitive advantage in manufacturing industries. Promoting innovation, exploiting technological opportunities and avoiding threats are increasingly important. Firms need to recognise both current and potential future technological advances that can affect their products, services and processes. This paper presents a Technology Intelligence (TI) methodology and toolset, the main purpose of which is to enable companies to monitor and assess technological developments associated with their products, components, processes and other areas of concern. These technology management activities will assist the company in evaluating its environment while taking advantage of technological changes that represent opportunities or threats. The methodology is described in detail and demonstrated using a case study conducted in an aerospace manufacturing firm in the United Kingdom.
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