Developing a Technology Readiness Level Template for Model-Based Design Methods and Tools in a Collaborative Environment

Currently, companies in the manufacturing field are experiencing the need to go digital, compelled by rising competitivity and efficiency requirements. Digitalization implies the development and implementation of complex systems in manufacturing plants as well as in the delivery of product-service systems and solutions, asking both for the adoption of Model Based Design (MBD) tools and methods. In this context, the assessment of suitability of MBD tools is vital for the companies that try to digitalise their operations. Due to the high relevance that this characteristic has for users and providers, a vital part of the implementation process is assesing the level of development or maturity of the tools. This paper presents and proposes a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) template developed in the HUBCAP project. This template aims to support MBD tools providers (guiding them in the description of the tool added on the platform), the platform management (easing governance tasks) and its users (clarifying the tool description for them) along the upload, update and control processes of the MBD tools in the collaborative platform.