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.

HW Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

Developed by KTH Innovation and adjusted by Produktionsänglar to better suit hardware startups

PRL	SHORT DEFINITION	TYPICAL STATUS
PRL 9	Final product – Product Fully Operational and Used by Customers	A final version of the product is built and has passed all tests and demonstrations. It meets all design goals and performs as expected. Extensive testing confirms it’s reliable and ready for customers.
PRL 8	Pre-production prototype – Final Product Built and Thoroughly Tested	A Pre-Production prototype is built and tested in real-life conditions. Testing shows the product works well where it will actually be used. This proves it meets performance standards under actual operating conditions.
PRL 7	Field-test protptype – Working Prototype Tested in Real-Life Conditions	A field test prototype is built and tested in real-life conditions. Testing shows that the product works well where it will actually be used. This proves it meets performance standards under actual operating conditions.
PRL 6	Functional prototype: Complete Prototype Tested in Realistic Settings	A complete functional prototype is built and tested in settings similar to real use to prove that the product performs well under these conditions and can work with other systems if needed.
PRL 5	Engineering prototype – Main Components Tested in Realistic Settings	Engineering prototypes of component or sub systems are tested in a realistic setting to confirm that the product idea and functionality work and to identifies any issues before building a complete prototype.
PRL 4	Mocku-up Prototype – Component prototypes Tested in Workshop	Basic parts are put together into a mock-up prototype and tested to prove that the components can work together and perform basic functions of the product.
PRL 3	Concept prototype – Key Functions Proven in Your Workspace	Key functions of a first simple concept prototype are tested to prove they work as intended. Simple experiments or models demonstrate that the main ideas behind the product are sound
PRL 2	Design concept – Product Idea Clearly Defined and Considered	The idea for the product is clearly defined, but no prototypes have been developed for testing yet.
PRL 1	Ideation stage – Initial Product Idea Formed	You have a basic idea for a product and its core function based on a need or observation. No prototypes or designs exist yet, just the initial concept.

Supply Chain Readiness Level (SCRL)

Developed by Produktionsänglar to better suite hardware startups

SCRL	SHORT DEFINITION	TYPICAL STATUS
SCRL 9	Fully Operational Supply Chain Delivering Final Products	The supply chain is fully operational and has been proven under actual operating conditions. All suppliers are engaged and perform effectively according to established agreements, and the supply chain consistently delivers final products reliably to customers.
SCRL 8	Supply Chain Tested and Ready for Full-Scale Productio	The entire supply chain has been thoroughly tested under real-world conditions. Suppliers actively participate in refining processes and resolving any remaining issues, ensuring the supply chain meets all performance standards and is ready for full-scale production and deployment.
SCRL 7	Supply Chain Prototype Validated in Operational Environment	A supply chain is developed and tested in actual operational settings. Formal agreements with suppliers are established, outlining roles and expectations, and initial tests confirm that the supply chain functions effectively where it will be used.
SCRL 6	Developing and Testing Supply Chain Prototype in Relevant Environment	A supply chain is built and tested in settings similar to initial full-scale production. Potential suppliers are engaged to collaborate on supply chain development and quality assurance, and testing shows that the supply chain performs well under these conditions.
SCRL 5	Validating Supply Chain Components in Relevant Environment	Main suppliers in the supply chain are put to test in realistic settings. Initial assessments of supplier capabilities and compatibility are conducted.
SCRL 4	Exploring and Planning the Supply Chain Structure	Potential supply chain setup is explored, and initial plans are developed. Discussions with suppliers begin to assess feasibility, and the basic framework of the supply chain is outlined, considering material and information flows.
SCRL 3	Identifying and engaging Suppliers in Product Development	Early contacts are made with individual suppliers to gather information and raise interest in understanding each supplier’s capabilities and engaging them to contribute to your product development.
SCRL 2	Defining Product Requirements and Supplier Needs	You begin to consider what types of suppliers will be needed for production, though no supplier engagement has started yet.
SCRL 1	Initial Product Idea Formulated	A basic product idea is formed based on a need or observation, with no consideration of suppliers or supply chain begun yet.