Characterisation of technology roadmaps: purpose and format

Technology roadmapping represents a powerful technique for supporting technology management and planning in the firm. Originally developed by Motorola in the 1970s, the approach has been adopted widely in industry. Roadmaps can take various forms, but the most generic form is a time-based chart, comprising a number of layers that typically include both commercial and technological perspectives. The roadmap enables the evolution of markets, products and technologies to be explored, together with the linkages between the various perspectives. While there are many published examples of technology roadmaps, the development of roadmaps can present considerable challenges to firms. Key challenges include keeping the roadmapping process 'alive' on an ongoing basis, starting up the TRM process, and developing a robust TRM process. In addition, there is little practical support available, and companies typically have to 're-invent' the process. Technology roadmaps have great potential for supporting the development and implementation of business, product and technology strategy, providing companies have the process and tools to produce them. The T-Plan 'fast-start' process has proved to be useful in terms of both industrial application, and also as a research tool to gain access to 'live' technology management problems, resulting in the development of a number of new roadmapping forms. The particular type of roadmap that is developed depends on the business issue being addressed, the process whereby the roadmap is developed, and the graphic devices that are selected to communicate the outputs of the roadmapping process.