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Transitioning Problem | Transitioning
Solution | Technology Readiness Levels
Sandia's Integrated Microsystems department has developed an expertise in
maturing, managing, and designing with technologies emerging from the
laboratory and transitioning these successfully into products that meet
customer expectations.
Our approach is fourfold:
- Use a formal Technology Readiness Scale to identify and quantify the
maturity level of the required technologies — both Sandia technologies
and commercially available technologies. Use this scale as a gap analysis tool
for identifying and working problems and backup strategies for the various
component technologies as well as for framing the project plan.
- Use a formal Product Delivery Checklist based on past experience to
assess that all relevant issues have been addressed in the project plan
related to delivering the product. These issues include: Technology
effectiveness, repeatability, reliability, manufacturability, system interface
compatibility, concept of operation, calibration, ease-of-use, personnel
safety, EMI and power supply compatibility, supply chain issues, test planning
and certifications, handling and transportation issues.
- Use a formal Microsystem Development Strategy to organize project
status information in a way that compels the identification and filling of
technical and programmatic gaps, and clearly documents and communicates "a
snapshot in time" of what the project "looks like."
- Hire Technical Staff with advanced engineering degrees and experience in
the system or subsystem product delivery environment.As part of Sandia's
Microsystems Science & Technology Center the staff have also developed an
ability to assess new technologies and quickly develop a "feel" for what the
risk issues will be with each technology. As project leaders they are able to
access Sandia's capabilities and build and lead teams made up of the right
expertise for any given product development project.
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