Fundamentals of Technology Roadmapping

Abstract

Technology planning is important for many reasons. Globally, companies are facing many competitive problems. Technology roadmapping, a form of technology planning, can help deal with this increasingly competitive environment. While it has been used by some companies and industries, the focus has always been on the technology roadmap as a product, not on the process. This report focuses on formalizing the process so that it can be more broadly and easily used. As a DOE national security laboratory with R&D as a major product, Sandia must do effective technology planning to identify and develop the technologies required to meet its national security mission. Once identified, technology enhancements or new technologies may be developed internally or collaboratively with external partners. For either approach, technology roadmapping, as described in this report, is an effective tool for technology planning and coordination, which fits within a broader set of planning activities. This report, the second in a series on technology roadmapping, develops and documents this technology roadmapping process, which can be used by Sandia, other national labs, universities, and industry. The main benefit of technology roadmapping is that it provides information to make better technology investment decisions by identifying critical technologies and technology gaps and identifying ways to leverage R&D investments. It can also be used as a marketing tool. Technology roadmapping is critical when the technology investment decision is not straight forward. This occurs when it is not clear which alternative to pursue, how quickly the technology is needed, or when there is a need to coordinate the development of multiple technologies. The technology roadmapping process consists of three phases - preliminary activity, development of the technology roadmap, and follow-up activity. Preliminary activity includes: (1) Satisfy essential conditions. (2) Provide leadership/sponsor-ship. (3) Define the scope and boundaries for the technology roadmap. Development of the technology roadmap includes: (1) Identify the "product" that will be the focus of the roadmap. (2) Identify the critical system requirements and their targets. (3) Specify the major technology areas. (4) Specify the technology drivers and their targets. (5) Identify technology alternatives and their time lines. (6) Recommend the technology alternatives that should be pursued. (7) Create the technology roadmap report. Follow-up activity includes: (1) Critique and validate the roadmap. (2) Develop an implementation plan. (3) Review and update.