Improving digital engineering tools in complex product development by means of an adequate monitoring of research projects

Abstract

Complex products development relies on established and tested processes that embed software applications in collaborative PLM systems. Many efforts are performed by companies to improve their development process by means of research projects. However the transfer of research results into industrial processes implies a high level of risk. The maturity assessment and the proof of usage are two criteria that help decreasing the risky transition. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) methodology and usage scenarios are tools which provide evidence associated to those two criteria. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to guide stakeholders in the development of usage scenario in the frame of TRL methodology. Thanks to the proposed methodology, at the end of the research project, the proof of usage and the maturity of engineering technology products are validated and could support their industrialization.