Technology Roadmapping

Question 1

Define technology strategy?

Answer 1

The effective integration of technological considerations into business strategy - essential for planning in manufacturing companies

Question 2

Define technology roadmapping (TRM)

Answer 2

• A flexible planning technique to support strategic and long-term planning by matching short-term and long-term goals with specific technology solutions
• Time-based chart with multiple layers including technological and commercial perspectives (market, product, technology) - shows relationships between requirements

Question 3

Why use TRM?

Answer 3

• Companies can make better investment decisions by:
• Identifying critical product needs (which has more risk, shorter timeline) that will drive technology selection and development processes
• Usually done internally as you’re unable to control external help like suppliers - easier to redirect efforts
• Determine and forecast the technology alternatives that can satisfy critical product needs
• Implementing a plan to develop these technology alternatives

Question 4

What is the hierarchy of roadmaps?

Answer 4

• You have an overall strategic roadmap (identifying gaps in portfolio) with multiple product roadmaps (launch, partners, infrastructure needs) feeding into that with multiple technology roadmaps feeding into those
• A product roadmap defines timeline for new product and the technology roadmap defines the timeline to develop new technology in order to create the product roadmap

Question 5

What are the benefits of TRM?

Answer 5

• Provides info to help make better technology investment decision
• Identifies critical tech needed to meet targets
• Makes R&D more effective
• Demonstrates that company understands customer needs by developing tech for those needs

Question 6

Define and explain the three phases of TRM and their respective steps

Answer 6

1. Preliminary Activity Phase
   
   1. Must satisfy essential conditions (needs for it, participation, use for it)
   2. Identify leadership/ sponsor
   3. Define scope and boundaries (time, context)
2. Development of the TRM
   
   1. Identify product that will be the focus and its needs for development
   2. Identify critical system requirements (CSR) e.g. MPG for car
   3. Specify major tech areas - sensors, materials
   4. Specify tech drivers and their targets - turn CSR into tech oriented drivers e.g. MPG = engine horsepower
   5. Identify tech alternatives (might be cheaper, faster, more reliable)
   6. Create the TRM report - needs to be communicated
3. Follow-up and use Activity
   
   1. Critique and validate the TRM - expose to a wider group of experts
   2. Develop implementation plan
   3. Formal review and update plan as you go