Additional Readiness Levels to KTH IRL
Readiness levels complementing the six KTH Innovations readiness levels
Sustainability Readiness Level (SRL)
Developed by Vinnova, SISP and members of SISP.
Version below is Produktionsänglar’s simplification of Movexums summary of the SRL to better suite hardware startups
| SRL | SHORT DEFINITION | TYPICAL STATUS |
| SRL 9 | The sustainability strategy contributes to competitiveness and revenue growth and makes a proven contribution to relevant parts of the UN’s sustainable development goa | – Clear, positive sustainability benefits outweigh drawbacks. – Well-defined, communicable sustainability impacts. – Sustainability ingrained in the company culture, influencing decisions, suppliers, and partnerships. |
| SRL 8 | The business model and operations are fine-tuned based on monitoring and evaluation using sustainability metrics in order to prepare for scaling/growth | – Integrating long-term business standards. – Ensuring viability and sustainability through metrics. – Transparently communicating sustainability impacts to stakeholders. |
| SRL 7 | Monitoring, reporting and communication on sustainability outcomes and impact are implemented. | – Communicate sustainability info for customer choices. – Set impact measurement and supplier standards. – Integrate sustainability reporting and cost-revenue checks into business processes. |
| SRL 6 | Sustainability is rooted in the entire team and is ingrained into the entire business. | – Validate sustainability goals in business plans. – Assess customer impacts, both positive and negative. – Use KPIs for customer value and risk reduction. |
| SRL 5 | Sustainability is set in the business model and is tested/validated against potential customers/use | – Identify and prioritize sustainability areas, opportunities, and risks. – Integrate sustainability goals, metrics, and actions into business plans. – Outline impacts and seek input from potential customers and partners. |
| SRL 4 | Business concept with embedded sustainability hypothesis is tested/validated against potential customers/users | – Stakeholder and supplier assessment of impact is complete. – Sustainability storytelling aligned with customer feedback is integrated. – Ready to share this storytelling with stakeholders, aligned with Agenda 2030. |
| SRL 3 | A first description of value creation and the need for sustainability to be integrated into the business idea / business model. | – Discussed team expertise and business approach for sustainability. – Created a preliminary mission statement for sustainability goals. – Evaluated a sustainable business model against competitors, including initial customer impact verification. |
| SRL 2 | Some awareness of how sustainability affects the planned business | – Explore sustainable business model benefits. – Formulate impact hypotheses on stakeholders. – Assess positive and negative aspects of the proposed product. |
| SRL 1 | None or very low awareness of how sustainability affects the planned business | – Limited awareness of Agenda 2030 and sustainable development. – Minimal grasp of sustainable business model benefits. – Unclear on how sustainability can address business issues and operations. |
Product Readiness Level (PRL)
Developed by Produktionsänglar to better suite hardware startups
| PRL | SHORT DEFINITION | TYPICAL STATUS |
| PRL 9 | Steady state production: Initial teething problems solved. Only minor optimizations of the product and/or process is applied. | – Monitoring a fully functional production. – Fixing any issues that come up. – Keeping it updated and working great as a solution. |
| PRL 8 | Initial production: The initial version of the product has been fully launched in the market | – Telling folks about it and selling it. – Seeing what people think of the solution. – Taking care of teething problems |
| PRL 7 | Pilot production product: Limited production for process testing and quality control | – Making just a few to try out the making process. – Checking if it’s made right. – Not quite ready for lots of copies yet, but getting closer with the solution |
| PRL 6 | Production prototype: The final prototype level with some alternative materials and components | – Making the very last version with the actual solution. – Checking how it’s made. – Looking for any problems in how it’s put together. |
| PRL 5 | Beta prototype: Nearly production-ready. Extensive testing for user feedback | – Getting super close to making it for real. – Giving it to some folks to see what they think. – Fixing any issues that pop up in the solution |
| PRL 4 | Alpha prototype: Refined, close-to-final prototype, not yet optimized for manufacturing | – Making it look more like the final solution. – Testing it for problems and ease of use. – Getting it closer to being the solution it should be. |
| PRL 3 | Concept proof prototype: Validation of key technology, functionality, and feasibility | – Really testing the key technology and functionality of the solution. – Trying out all the important features. – Asking, ”Can we really make this solution work?” |
| PRL 2 | Functional prototype: Presents core features for testing and functional validation | – Building the essential solution to see if it works. – Trying out the basics and seeing if they make sense. – Basically, making sure it provides the solution it’s supposed to |
| PRL 1 | Concept prototype: Idea, basic design, early visual representation of the concept | – The ”What if we did this?” stage. – Drawing up rough designs and early pictures. – Seeing if the main idea is even possible |
Supply Chain Readiness Level (SCRL)
Developed by Produktionsänglar to better suite hardware startups
| SCRL | SHORT DEFINITION | TYPICAL STATUS |
| SCRL 9 | Ongoing supplier collaborations regarding quality, innovation, costs, and continuous improvements. | – Consistent partnership with suppliers to improve quality and innovation. – Continuous focus on cost optimization. – Actively engaged in ongoing improvements in supplier relations. |
| SCRL 8 | Pilot production to test and ensure the quality of suppliers and processes. | – Implementing small-scale production to verify supplier quality. – Rigorous testing and quality assurance of supplier components. – Ensuring processes are reliable and meet quality standards. |
| SCRL 7 | Signing of contracts | – Formalizing agreements with selected suppliers. – Legally binding contracts defining terms and expectations. – Setting the groundwork for a structured business relationship. |
| SCRL 6 | Comprehensive evaluation of potential specific suppliers | – Thoroughly assessing specific suppliers for suitability. – Evaluating supplier capabilities, track record, and references. – Considering supplier performance in various criteria. |
| SCRL 5 | Initiated contact with specific suppliers to discuss the deal | – Beginning communication with targeted suppliers about potential partnership. – Initial negotiations and dialogue to explore collaboration. – Expressing interest in forming a business relationship. |
| SCRL 4 | Exploring specific suppliers relevant to the product | – Investigating suppliers with potential relevance to the product. – Initial research into specific suppliers’ capabilities. – Identifying potential candidates for future partnerships. |
| SCRL 3 | Initiated contact with general suppliers to gather input and insights | – Initiating conversations with a broader range of suppliers. – Seeking input and feedback from various suppliers. – Gathering general insights and information for decision-making. |
| SCRL 2 | Exploring general suppliers that may be relevant to the product | – Scanning the market for general suppliers who could be relevant. – Preliminary research to identify potential suppliers. – Broad exploration to assess the landscape |
| SCRL 1 | No knowledge of potential suppliers | – Lack of information or awareness about potential suppliers. – No established contacts or supplier leads. – Beginning stages with no prior supplier research |