Defend your project

Build the business case for a project inside an existing company. The 11-step workflow trims to 9 — same revenue, costs, layer profile and TRL, but capital comes from a corporate-WACC + project-risk uplift, funding round is dropped, and the output is a board memo with NPV, IRR, payback and a commoditization risk register, not a cap table.

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TRL assessment

Evidence-based, multi-axis maturity profile. The engine refuses to grant a higher level when lower-level criteria are unmet — combat self-assessment upward bias by design. References cite ISO 16290, NASA TRL Handbook, MRL Deskbook, ARENA CRI, Sauser et al., Lavin et al., ISO 26262 / 21448 / 8800.

Assessment mode

Pick the depth that matches the decision the assessment supports. Switching mode keeps your existing answers — visible questions and evidence requirements adjust automatically.

Domain triage

Three questions that branch the questionnaire. Answers here decide which regulatory artifacts and sectoral adaptations appear later.

Technology type
Application sector
Safety criticality

Level 1

Basic principles underlying the technology have been observed and documented in a peer-reviewable form.

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 1); NASA TRL Handbook §3.1

Level 2

A specific application of the basic principles has been formulated, with hypothesized performance characteristics.

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 2); NASA TRL Handbook §3.2

Level 3

Critical functions of the application have been demonstrated analytically or in a proof-of-concept experiment in a laboratory setting.

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 3); NASA TRL Handbook §3.3

Analytical predictions have been compared against the proof-of-concept experimental data, with discrepancies explained.

DoD TRA Guidebook §3 (TRL 3 verification)

Level 4

Components have been integrated into a breadboard and tested together in laboratory conditions; basic interface compatibility is verified.

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 4); NASA TRL Handbook §3.4

Level 5

The breadboard has been tested under conditions that simulate the relevant operational environment (loads, temperature, vibration, EM, etc. as applicable).

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 5); NASA TRL Handbook §3.5

Component-level fidelity has improved over the TRL 4 breadboard — form, fit, or function more representative of the deployed system.

NASA TRL Handbook §3.5

Level 6

A representative model or prototype has been demonstrated in a relevant environment (high-fidelity test bed or field test under realistic conditions).

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 6); NASA TRL Handbook §3.6

Reliability and performance limits have been characterized for the prototype in the relevant environment.

DoD TRA Guidebook §3 (TRL 6 verification)

Level 7

A prototype near the planned operational form has been demonstrated in the operational environment (in space for spacecraft, on-vehicle for ADAS, etc.).

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 7); NASA TRL Handbook §3.7

Level 8

The actual system has been built, qualified, and demonstrated through test and evaluation; outstanding issues are documented and resolved or accepted.

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 8); NASA TRL Handbook §3.8

Level 9

The actual system has been proven in its operational environment through successful mission/deployment over a sustained period.

ISO 16290:2013 §4 (TRL 9); NASA TRL Handbook §3.9

Readiness profile

live · updates as you answer

TRL
1/9
MRL
1/10
CRL
1/9
IRL
1/9
SRL
1/9
computed
Hype Cycle position:not enough signal yet