Commercial Readiness Level (CRL)

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) are employed in research and development to manage the risk of innovation and manufacturing; however, no such measurement exists for commercial readiness. Commercial Readiness Level (CRL) is a systematic set of measures and metrics that enable assessment of individual products and services as well as the management of pipelines and portfolios of products and services. This chapter defines CRL; describes their successful employment in both non-profit and for-profit organizations; and shares lessons learned for their effective employment to reduce commercialization risk, focus product and service development and investment, accelerate time to market, and increase growth and margin.