Technology readiness levels enhancing R%D management and technology transfer capabilities: insights from a public utility in Northwest USA

It is important for organisations to set their strategies so they can envision long-term goals and plans to achieve them, and there are solidly established methods and studies about the subject. To manage technology development efforts is equally important, especially to decide which technologies should be invested in and when those technologies are ready to be used. The technology readiness levels (TRL), developed by NASA, appear as a method to inform managers about the readiness of technologies under development, thus helping organisations in their decision-making processes regarding technology and product development. The objective of this study is to understand the history and main characteristics of TRLs and how the method can benefit R%D management and technology transfer. Interviews were conducted with technology managers in an electric utility in the Northwest USA, and results show that competitive advantage can be achieved through the use of TRLs.