• Journal of The Korean Institute of Defense Technology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-30
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• 2023

TRA(Technology Readiness Assessment) quantitatively assesses the current level of domestic technology and is used as a key tool for determining the possibility of domestic R&D and risk management. However, since the current TRA utilizes hardware-oriented TRL(Technology Readiness Level), it is suitable for independent assessment of each technologies, but has limitations in evaluation from a system integration perspective. In addition, the checklist-based assessment is highly likely to involve subjective evaluation. This study proposes an enhanced TRA framework by redefining TRA procedures and criteria from the systems integration perspective of system engineering. We focused on developing a framework that overcomes the limitations of the current TRL/TRA and enables easier and more intuitive assessment. The proposed framework distinguishes between TE(Technology Element) and CTE(Critical Technology Element) in terms of HW, SW and interface and redefines TRL. TRA is performed according to the TRL redefined from the above three points of view, and the lowest evaluation value is used as system maturity level in consideration of risk management. The proposed CTE selection method minimizes the intervention of the evaluator by utilizing the quantitative goal of the key ROC(Required Operational Capability), development difficulty, and application of COTS(Common Off The Shelf) technology. The effectiveness of this framework was confirmed through a case study of the TSS(Target Surveillance System). It is hoped that starting with this study, research at the framework level will be activated and contribute to the improvement of the TRA system.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.144-149
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• 2015

In this study, the effective technology readiness assessment (TRA) method for system development project is suggested. We analyze the domestic and foreign TRA practice and derive the new idea to resolve the problems found from the analysis. Domestic and foreign organizations develop and use checklist for the precise TRA, but the checklist has some problems in type of questions and analysis of assessment. TRA method using the original TRL definition or the checklist should be selected depending on the project characteristic. Questions of the checklist should be classified into critical or non-critical according to their importance. Finally, Test and evaluation master plan (TEMP) in system engineering process can provide an obvious criteria to assess technology readiness level (TRL) of critical technology elements (CTE) composing the system.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.111-127
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• 2014

Purpose: Simple part or equipment is necessary TRA(Technology Readiness Assessment) or MRA(Manufacturing Readiness Assessment). But sole maturity like TRA, MRA has limit complex systems or SoS(System of System). Especially complex weapon system need from the System Maturity Point of view. This research shows necessity of SRA(System Readiness Assessment). Methods: In case of complex systems, it is essential to SRA(System Readiness Assessment). For the purpose of calculating SRL(System Readiness Level), TRL and IRL must be calculated. And then SRL can obtain know from equation of TRL and IRL. To prove SRA effectiveness, it is calculated SRL of JTDLS(Joint Tactical DataLink System) programs. Results: SRA procedure is proposed and case study shows as examples of JTDLS programs. Although result of TRA is TRL6, result of SRA is not 0.6. From this research, we can know necessity of SRA. Especially complex systems or SoS(System of System) is essential to SRA. Conclusion: SRA(System Readiness Assessment) is required to overcome limitation of sole maturity and to achieve a successful acquisition of high quality weapon system. This research intended to suggest SRA procedure and case study in complex defense system.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.608-615
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• 2013

The major countries including Korea extend the national investment on R&D and implement the business performance diffusion policy as the knowledge based competition age arrives recently. The necessity for risk management and systematic management system for R&D achievement have been appeared to prevent the failure as the R&D scale becomes larger as it was said. For this matter, the organization such as NASA and DoD in USA defines the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) as a quantitative accomplishment management index and utilize the Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) system as a criterion. Such tool is evaluated as very effective in the R&D project purposed the practicalization. It is expected that the disadvantage of evaluation system which is oriented to the academic accomplishment in its contents of current research and to contribute greatly to the practicalization of outcomes when such technology readiness level concept is applied to Korean national construction and transportation R&D project. Accordingly, this study analyzed the concept of TRL·TRA, the characteristics and current evaluation management system of Korean national construction and transportation R&D project and suggested the construction and transportation R&D project TRL·TRA performance model to accomplish the practicalization purpose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Systems Engineering
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 2009

This paper aims to develop the framework for evaluating the technology maturity by utilizing TRA(Technology Readiness Assessment) approach. In this context, we will provide the directions through analyzing the domestic acquisition process and re lated regulations, and clarify the scenarios to apply the proposed framework to the defense R&D programs. The paper will conclude with the case study for the evolution of the proposed framework.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.835-843
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• 2017

The Technology Readiness Assessment(TRA) has the advantage of identifying immature technologies in promoting weapon system research and development project. However, a more diverse set of information is required for the determination of phase shift and technical risk management for weapons system R&D projects. In this paper, we investigate the various indexes the various indexes proposed to overcome the limitations of the Technology Readiness Level(TRL) and analyze the possibility of applying to the actual weapons system R&D projects. Based on the analysis, it was possible to provide additional information that could not be presented in TRA using technical risk indexes other than TRL, confirming that it could be used for technical risk management for weapons system R&D projects.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.395-404
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• 2013

Purpose: Technology readiness assessment(TRA) used as a standard readiness assessment tool in the acquisition program of weapon system has some limitations in the comprehensive understanding of the complex system. Therefore, this research is intended to suggest a holistic maturity assessment method for the acquisition of high quality weapon system. Methods: Technology readiness level(TRL), manufacturing readiness level(MRL), integration readiness level(IRL) and system readiness level(SRL) developed to assess system maturities in the various aspects are compared and analyzed to draw an improvement avenue for the current readiness assessment method. Results: TRL, MRL, IRL and SRL have large differences in their maturity targets during the acquisition life cycle: technological performance, manufacturing capability, interface between components and total system, respectively. They complement one another's shortcomings Conclusion: To achieve a successful acquisition of high quality weapon system, multi-dimensional readiness assessment is required. Therefore, comprehensive readiness assessment using TRL, MRL, IRL and SRL will contribute to the acquisition of high quality weapon system through the accurate maturity information of overall system.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.110-119
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• 2012

Recently as the advent of knowledge-based competition, the major industrialized countries including Korea, are expanding their R&D investment and promoting policies for diffusing of R&D performance. For this, NASA, DoD and such agencies in the United States define Technology Readiness Level (TRL) as a quantified indicator for performance management, and also impose Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) as a evaluation system, that evaluates technology maturity using TRL. These tools are judged to be very effective in R&D projects especially with the object of practical use. When this concept is applied to the domestic national construction and transportation R&D project for the purpose of practical use, it is expected that the evaluation system overcomes its weakness of focusing only on academic results and improves significantly on intent of achieving practical use. Thus in this study, TRL/TRA implementation model of construction and transportation R&D project for achieving purpose of practical use is presented through an analysis of TRL/TRA concept and domestic national construction and transportation R&D project's characteristics and current evaluation/management system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Systems Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2015

During the industrial plant system life cycle, required technologies are developed and assessed to analyze their performance, risks and costs. The assessment is called technology readiness assessment (TRA) and the measure of readiness is called technology readiness level (TRL). The TRL consists of 9 levels and through the TRL assessment, the technology to be developed and its components are assigned to their appropriate TRL. TRL assessment should be performed in each life cycle stages to monitor the technology readiness and analyze the potential risks and costs. However, even though the concept of TRL has been largely adopted by numerous organizations and industry, direct and clear assignment of target TRL for each life cycle stage has been overlooked. Direct mapping/assignment of target TRL for each life cycle has benefits as follow: (1) the technical risks condition of each life cycle stage can be better understood, (2) cost incurred if the technology development is failed can be analyzed in each life cycle stage, and (3) more effective decision making because the technology readiness achievement for each life cycle stages is agreed beforehand. In this paper, we propose a steel-making plant system life cycle and TRL assignment to each of the system life cycle stage. By directly assigning target TRL for each life cycle stages, we look forward to a more coordinated (in terms of exit criteria) and highly effective (in terms of technical risks identification and eventually prevent project failure) technology development and assessment processes.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2010

Military technology transition is the process of transition from the science and technology environment to systems to supply effective weapon systems and support systems to the fighters. In case of technology transition decision, immatured technologies result in increasing acquisition cost and delaying schedule toward the objective system. In this paper, we proposed a method to identify and select critical technology elements by integration relations between technologies or components, for supporting technology transition and risk management of military R&D projects.