Adapting TRLs for Software Development: A Practical Guide

“But software is different!” If you’ve tried applying hardware-centric TRLs to software projects, you’ve likely encountered resistance. Here’s the good news: you can adapt TRLs to work brilliantly in the software world with one clear approach.

The Software TRL Framework: A Practical Adaptation

Software development demands a more flexible approach to TRLs that accounts for its unique characteristics:

• TRL 1-3: Concept & Basic Code — Algorithm design, proof-of-concept coding, and basic functionality validation
• TRL 4-5: Integration & Testing — Component integration, system testing, and user interface validation
• TRL 6-7: Real Environment Testing — Beta testing, performance optimization, and initial deployment
• TRL 8-9: Production & Evolution — Full deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement

The Actionable Approach: Sprint-Based TRL Assessment

Here’s the key actionable framework: Embed TRL assessments directly into your sprint cycles. For each feature or component:

1. Define the target TRL at the start of your sprint planning
2. List specific criteria for achieving that TRL level
3. Conduct TRL reviews during sprint demos
4. Document TRL status in your project tracking system

This approach works because it:

• Integrates seamlessly with agile methodologies
• Provides clear progress metrics for stakeholders
• Identifies technical debt and readiness gaps early
• Adapts to both new features and existing systems

Match Your Methodology to Your TRL Stage

An important insight: Traditional Scrum often struggles below TRL 6. Why? Early-stage innovation and research don’t align well with rigid sprint structures.

For early TRLs (1-5), consider a different approach:

• Use Kanban for research teams working on conceptual and exploratory work
• Organize by project milestones rather than time-boxed sprints
• Allow for iterative discovery without the pressure of sprint deadlines
• Track progress through research questions answered rather than features completed

Once your technology reaches TRL 6, when you have working functionality in a realistic environment, transition to Scrum for the final push to production. This methodological shift acknowledges the fundamentally different nature of early research versus late-stage productization.

A Simple Implementation Example

For a new authentication feature:

• Sprint 1 (TRL 2-3): Basic auth flow working in development
• Sprint 2 (TRL 4-5): Integrated with user database, automated tests passing
• Sprint 3 (TRL 6-7): Working in staging environment with real data
• Sprint 4 (TRL 8-9): Deployed to production with monitoring

By mapping TRLs to your existing sprint structure, you get the benefits of readiness tracking without disrupting your development workflow.

The bottom line: Don’t force traditional TRLs onto software projects. Instead, adapt them to work within your sprint cycles for a practical approach that delivers real value to your team.