Scales for technological, commercial and sustainability maturity
The use of TRL aims to state which technological maturity level is the starting point of the project, and to state which TRL gap the project will bridge.
The use of MRL aims to state which commercial maturity level is the starting point of the project, and to state which MRL gap the project will bridge.
The use of SRL aims to state which maturity level in sustainability assessments is the starting point of the project, and to state which SRL gap the project will bridge.
Of course, the three aspects are not independent of each other, and it may even be that an increase in two of them may result in a decrease in the third. It is important to clearly describe the effects of the expected transfer. Transfer in the different aspects can be used to motivate activities in and describe desired effects of projects.
The aspect Technology – Technology Readiness Level
The aspect Technology can be described with the scale Technology Readiness Level (TRL) according to the EU commission definition (Annex G of the General Annexes to the Horizon 2020 Work Program 2016/2017). Note that all lower levels must be met to reach a higher level.
TRL Description
TRL 9: Actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 8: System complete and qualified
TRL 7: System prototype demonstration in operational environment
TRL 6: Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 5: Technology validated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies)
TRL 4: Technology validated in lab
TRL 3: Experimental proof of concept
TRL 2: Technology concept formulated
TRL 1: Basic principles observed
The aspect Market – Market Readiness Level
The aspect Market can be described with the scale Market Readiness Level (MRL) according to an estimate of the project’s understanding of customer and market based on a Market Value Proposition. Note that all lower levels must be met to reach a higher level.
MRL - Understanding of customer* and market based on a Market Value Proposition
*The term “customer” mentioned below should be interpreted broadly and refers to the one to which the offer is directed. The customer is thus the one who has the need that the offer is intended to satisfy, and who is prepared to pay or invest. Customer does not have to be an end customer.
MRL 9
Product testing or test sales in progress
Process in use
MRL 8
Attractive sales opportunities demonstrated based on a documented business and pricing model
A business concept has been confirmed to several potential customers and has an estimated successful commercial potential
MRL 7
Opportunity to take a significant share of the market has been proven
Collaborations that confirm unique characteristics or functions of the innovation have been established
MRL 6
A detailed picture of the market size / volumes is described
The opportunities for commercialization have been developed and demonstrated
Potential obstacles have been identified
MRL 5
Critical functions for a solution or product have been delivered to and tested on potential need owners
A business concept has been described according to e.g. the NABC model
Market needs have been confirmed through interviews or practical tests
MRL 4
The competitive situation and alternatives are analyzed
Market acceptance has been tested on a smaller scale
MRL 3
An overview of the market and size / volumes is described
Some competitors have been identified
MRL 2
Existing solutions / products on the market are known
An IP strategy is formulated, including the right and opportunity for commercialization
MRL 1
A hypothesis about the need owners and the market's needs is formulated
The MRL concept seeks to describe the commercial maturity of a product, process or solution. This includes business strategy, business modeling, marketing, sales, aftermarket support and the like. To achieve success, you need to include this thinking as early in your development process as possible.
The aspect Sustainability – Sustainability Readiness Level
The aspect Sustainability can be described with the scale Sustainability Readiness Level (SRL) according to an estimate of how the project’s results contribute to a more sustainable society based on a Sustainability Value Proposition. Note that all lower levels must be met to reach a higher level.
SRL - Understanding of customer and market based on a Sustainability Value Proposition
SRL 9
The solution is in use, and a sustainability concept is confirmed from a social, economic and environmental perspective
SRL 8
An extensive system analysis has been carried out with identified sustainability perspectives and commercial opportunities
SRL 7
The opportunity to increase the proportion of products on the market with a positive sustainability perspective has been identified and is considered significant
SRL 6
A detailed analysis of the possibility of increased sustainability has been developed and demonstrated
Improvements to the process for increased sustainability have been made
Potential obstacles have been identified
SRL 5
Critical functions for a solution or product have been delivered to and tested on potential need owners
A sustainability concept has been described, which provides a concrete basis for demonstrating contributions to increased sustainability
Sustainability aspects have been confirmed through interviews or practical tests
SRL 4
The solution is assessed and validated on a lab scale, and the results are evaluated from a sustainability perspective
Critical factors that affect sustainability have been identified
SRL 3
A general analysis has been carried out from a sustainability perspective, and has been compared with some competing solutions
SRL 2
Existing solutions / products on the market are known from a sustainability perspective
SRL 1
A hypothesis about how the solution / product contributes to increased sustainability is formulated
Examples of tools for the three scales
In this PDF, we have compiled a number of tools showing how the three scales can be used and applied.
