Enhancing Technology Readiness Assessment: The Engineering Severity Level Methodology and the Technical Readiness Level+ Classification

Abstract

The author proposes a novel methodology to overcome the outstanding challenges in accurately assessing technology readiness for final real-world applications.The Engineering Severity Level (ESL) is a conceptual methodology that provides a simple, standardised, and quantitative method for assessing technology suitability in relation to realworld environments.It is a standalone assessment concept that offers advantages in generating an evidence base for accurate technology readiness assessment and early identification of developmental roadblocks derived from real-world requirements. Moreover, the methodology can be applied as a universal basis to enhance the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) classification assessment criteria. The benefits are exemplified in assessing quantum technologies for Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) requirements in Defence applications.