Integration Readiness levels Evaluation and Systems Architecture: A Literature Review

Abstract

The success of complex systems projects is strongly influenced by their architecture. A key role of a system architect is to decide whether and how to integrate new technologies in a system architecture. Technology readiness levels (TRL) scale has been used for decades to support decision making regarding the technology infusion in complex systems, but it still faces challenges related to the integration of technologies to a system architecture. Integration Readiness Levels (IRL) scale has been elaborated in the last decade to face these challenges, representing the integration maturity between the technological elements of a system. The aim of this theoretical article is to perform a literature review on IRL scale evaluation and on systems architecture, through bibliographic research. Results show the review organized in five topics that surrounds the research objective, presenting the IRL and TRL scales evolution, comparing their evaluation practices, and exploring the architecture complexity of systems. Suggestions for future research are proposed based on these results.