Definition
A process for developing valuable new technology while reducing technology risk, protecting new product development from late-stage disruption; it uses TRL levels and TRA assessments, with visual management to drive progress.
In detail
Technology Development Process (TDP) is a process to reduce the risk of new technologies before formal product development through phased assessments, including Technology Readiness Level (TRL) assessment and Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA). It addresses the problem of product development delays or failures due to insufficient maturity of new technologies. Unlike Accelerated Product Development (APD), TDP focuses on the technology itself, not the overall product. Typical outputs include technology maturity reports, risk mitigation plans, and stage-gate review records.
Example in practice
An aerospace company planned to adopt a new composite material, but the material had not yet been validated in a similar environment. The technical team launched TDP and tested level by level according to TRL, from laboratory validation to small-batch trial production. At each Toll Gate, a TRA assessment was conducted, and when risks were found, the plan was adjusted in time. Finally, once the technology matured, it moved into product development, avoiding major changes later.