Foresight methods for technology validation, roadmapping and development in the surface engineering area

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present a set of methods for evaluating the strategic development perspectives of priority innovative technologies, backed by an example illustrating the practical application of a proposed solution with regard to the selected surface engineering methods. Design/methodology/approach: The article describes a set of validation, roadmapping and technology development methods in the part pertaining to the dendrological matrix of technology value, the meteorological matrix of environment influence, the matrix of strategies for technologies, the setting of strategic development tracks and creating technology roadmaps. Findings: The presented approach allows for organizing, enhancing and modernizing the process of testing as part of the technology foresight, with special consideration paid to material surface engineering. Research limitations/implications: The proposed general analyses purposefully omit the materials science part of the methodology which will be thoroughly presented in the series of articles currently prepared for print, on selected surface engineering technologies. The carried out works are part of a bigger research project aimed at generating a set of most promising surface engineering technologies. Practical implications: The described methods will be used to set priority innovative technologies in the field of material surface engineering; however, their universal character indicates they may be successfully used during the realization of any technology foresight and, after a slight adaptation - also an regional foresight. Originality/value: The value of the article is an example-supported presentation of an original authority set of methods for validation, roadmapping and forecasting the development of technologies, with special consideration paid to the field of material surface engineering.