Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs): A Practical Guide for Managing Innovation
A practical guide to understanding and applying TRLs across the innovation lifecycle.
Innovation creates opportunity but it also introduces uncertainty, particularly when moving from early research through to real-world deployment.
TRLs provide a structured way to assess how mature a technology is, what has been proven, and what still needs to be demonstrated.
With funding bodies, investors, and internal stakeholders placing greater emphasis on evidence and risk, businesses are expected to clearly demonstrate the maturity of their technologies and the steps required to progress them.
Inside the guide, you’ll find:
✔ A clear explanation of what Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are and how they apply across the innovation lifecycle
✔ An overview of how TRLs align with funding programmes in the UK and Europe
✔ The most common challenges in progressing technologies, particularly at mid-stage development
✔ Guidance on how to generate and document the evidence needed to support funding and decision-making
✔ Practical steps to apply TRLs as a structured framework for managing innovation projects
Whether you are developing a new technology, scaling an existing solution, or aligning projects with funding opportunities, this guide will help you take a structured, informed approach to managing innovation and reducing risk.