Title: Improving the efficiency of technology qualification in the industrial sector

Authors: S.M.S.M.K. Samarakoon; R.M. Chandima Ratnayake

Addresses: Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, N-4036 Stavanger, Norway ' Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, N-4036 Stavanger, Norway

Abstract: Technology qualification processes enable the user to confirm the function of the newly introduced technology as intended for particular operational limits within a specified confidence interval. Technology qualification procedures describe the technology readiness level and then outline how to plan the processes leading towards the resulting technology qualification through tests or analytical programmes. The analysis and testing represent the major costs of a qualification process and are also time-consuming compared with other steps in a process. Further, if a wrong selection is made for the analysis and testing method, then the result can be wastage of resources leading to outcome with no value. Hence, it is necessary to identify the methodology for making a selection of the most appropriate method considering various constraints. This manuscript provides a suggestion of how a multi-criteria decision making tool [analytical hierarchy processes (AHP)] can be utilised to improve the efficiency of a process.

Keywords: technology qualification; analytical hierarchal processes; AHP; technology readiness; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; newly introduced technology; technology implementation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2014.063084

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2014 Vol.24 No.3/4, pp.362 - 376

Accepted: 24 Aug 2013
Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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