Technology Development

Technology development transforms ideas into market-ready innovations through structured ideation, product development, and readiness assessment. ENVRIs can facilitate this process by leveraging tools like market research, TRIZ, and SCAMPER for ideation, followed by concept development, prototyping, and testing to refine solutions. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework and risk assessment ensure alignment with investment strategies and commercialization pathways. By integrating these approaches, ENVRIs can drive the advancement of impactful environmental technologies, bridging the gap between research and real-world applications.

  1. Ideation & Discovery – The foundation of innovation, where new ideas are explored, refined, and aligned with market needs. Tools such as market research, TRIZ, SCAMPER, customer journey mapping, and customer value canvas help identify opportunities and shape viable solutions.
  2. Product Development – The structured process of transforming validated ideas into tangible products or services. This includes concept development, prototyping, market research, product development tools, and testing frameworks to ensure quality, performance, and market fit.
  3. TRL Assessment – Evaluating the maturity of technologies to guide investment and commercialization. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework, risk assessment methodologies, and investment alignment strategies help mitigate risks and enhance the transition from research to application.

Innovation Process Framework

Ideation & Discovery

Product Development

TRL Assessment

Disclaimer: The resources and links referenced in this section are sourced from freely available public materials and are provided for informational purposes only. These resources are not intended for commercial use. They have been included as examples and guidance to support the concepts discussed herein. The authors and contributors do not claim ownership of these materials, and their use is intended solely for educational or illustrative purposes. Any reliance on or application of these resources is at the user's own discretion, and we recommend verifying the availability and appropriateness of these sources for your specific needs.


Reference Table
Ref. No. Citation Context in Document Notes

1

Altriz. (n.d.). 40 principles of TRIZ. Retrieved from https://www.aitriz.org/articles/40p_triz.pdf

Idea Generation Tools (Page 7) - "Introduction to TRIZ"

Free TRIZ resource;

2

Innovation TRIZ. (n.d.). TRIZ contradiction matrix. Retrieved from https://innovation-triz.com/triz40/triz_matrix.xls

Idea Generation Tools (Page 7) - "TRIZ Template"

Free Excel tool for TRIZ;

3

Asian Development Bank. (2019). The SCAMPER technique. Retrieved from https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/27643/scamper-technique.pdf

Idea Generation Tools (Page 7) - "SCAMPER Technique"

Free PDF guide on SCAMPER methodology.

4

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. (2019). Design thinking. Retrieved from https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/indien/15404-20190508.pdf

Idea Generation Tools (Page 7) - "Design Thinking"

Free PDF on Design Thinking

5

Comprac NSW. (2020). Customer journey mapping toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.comprac.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/customer_journey_mapping_toolkit.pdf

Customer Insights Tools (Page 8) - "Customer Journey Mapping Toolkit"

Free toolkit for mapping customer experiences.

6

Strategyzer. (n.d.). Value proposition canvas. Retrieved from https://www.strategyzer.com

Customer Insights Tools (Page 8) - "Customer Value Proposition"

Free framework resource

7

Proven Models. (n.d.). Five levels of product. Retrieved from https://www.provenmodels.com/16

Planning Tools (Page 12) - "The Levels of a Product"

Free resource

8

Kotler, P. (2013). Levels of product. Retrieved from https://cambridgemba.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/kotler-levels-of-product-feb2013.pdf

Planning Tools (Page 12) - "The Levels of a Product"

Free resource

9

TL9000. (2021). Guidance document: Design for X (DfX) v2.0. Retrieved from https://tl9000.org/registration/documents/Guidance%20Document%20Design%20for%20X%20DFx%20v2.0%20FINAL%2010.20.21.pdf

Planning Tools (Page 12) - "DfX Guidelines"

Free DfX methodology guide.

10

TCGen. (2022). Agile product development 2022. Retrieved from https://www.tcgen.com/downloads/Agile-Product-Development-2022.pdf

Innovation Process Frameworks (Page 2) - "Agile Product Development"

Free PDF

11

Prantsidou, M. (2022). Agile product development 2022. Retrieved from [OneDrive link] (https://cyisites-my.sharepoint.com/personal/m_prantsidou_cyi_ac_cy/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?...Agile-Product-Development-2022.pdf)

Innovation Process Frameworks (Page 2) - "Agile Product Development"

Free resource

12

University of Edinburgh. (n.d.). A checklist for start-up market research. Retrieved from https://edwebcontent.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/atoms/files/a_checklist_for_start_up_market_research.pdf

Market Research Tools (Page 5) - "Checklist for Market Research"

Free market research checklist.

13

HubSpot. (n.d.). Voice of the customer (VoC) template. Retrieved from https://4026734.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/4026734/Voice%20of%20Customer%20Template/VoC%20Template%20editable.pdf

Market Research Tools (Page 6) - "Voice of the Customer (VOC)"

Free editable VoC template.

14

SCORE. (n.d.). Business case template. Retrieved from https://www.score.org/fairfieldcounty/resource/template/business-case-template

Discovery Tools (Page 11) - "Business Case Template"

Free business case template.

15

Cabaj, M. (n.d.). Aid4Action: Evaluating prototypes. Retrieved from https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Resources/Tools/Aid4Action%20Evaluating%20Prototypes%20Mark%20Cabaj.pdf

Execution Phase (Page 13) - "Evaluating Prototypes"

Free prototype evaluation guide.

16

Ignitec. (n.d.). Prototyping techniques. Retrieved from https://www.ignitec.com

Execution Phase (Page 13) - "Types of Prototypes and Testing"

Free resource

17

NTNU. (n.d.). Product development resources. Retrieved from https://www.ntnu.no

Execution Phase (Page 13) - General reference

Free academic resource

18

GrowthMatch. (n.d.). Business growth resources. Retrieved from https://www.growthmatch.com/business-growth-resources

Validation Phase (Page 14) - "Customer Discovery"

Free resource

19

Business Model Analyst. (n.d.). Product-market fit canvas template. Retrieved from https://businessmodelanalyst.com/downloads/product-market-fit-canvas-template/

TRL Assessment (Page 15) - "TRL Framework"

Free TRL standard reference.

20

NASA. (n.d.). Technology readiness levels (TRL). Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/somd/space-communications-navigation-program/technology-readiness-levels/

TRL Assessment (Page 15) - "TRL Framework"

Free TRL standard reference.

21

U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). TRL guide. Retrieved from https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0413.3-EGuide-04a/@@images/file

TRL Assessment (Page 15) - "TRL Checklist"

Free TRL guidance document.

22

Oregon State University. (n.d.). Risk assessment spreadsheet. Retrieved from https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Frisk.oregonstate.edu%2Fsites%2Frisk.oregonstate.edu%2Ffiles%2FRisk-Assessment-Spreadsheet.xlsm

Risk Assessment Tools (Page 16) - "Risk Assessment Matrix"

Free Excel tool

23

ASQ. (n.d.). Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA). Retrieved from https://asq.org/quality-resources/fmea

Risk Assessment Tools (Page 17) - "FMEA"

Free FMEA resource.

24

Government of British Columbia. (2018). Investment readiness assessment checklist. Retrieved from https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/economic-development/market-and-attract/business-attraction-toolkit/investment_readiness_assessment_checklist_fillable_dec18.pdf

Investment Alignment Tools (Page 17) - "Investment Readiness Scorecard"

Free checklist.

25

U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.). Write your business plan. Retrieved from https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan

Investment Alignment Tools (Page 18) - "Commercialization Roadmap"

Free resource

26

ERC Associates. (2024). Commercialization plan template. Retrieved from https://erc-assoc.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/Commercialization%20Plan%20Template%20Scott%20Ransom.pdf

Investment Alignment Tools (Page 18) - "Commercialization Roadmap"

Free template by Scott Ransom.

27

(n.d.). Getting market validation. Retrieved from

https://productmanagementtraining.com/assets/documents/papers/Getting-Market-Validation.pdf

"Market Validation Guide" (Page 15)

28

(n.d.). Market validation essentials. Retrieved from https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/4588864/Market%20Validation%20Essentials_Jaunt.pdf

"Market Validation Essentials" (Page 15)

29

(n.d.). Sample market validation questions. Retrieved from

https://www.jumpstartinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/er_sample-market-validation-qs_1c.pdf

"Market Validation Questions" (Page 15)