The classic technology roadmap shows the evolution of a product's or system's
architectural elements over time. Technologies are described by
their sources (“where we’ll get the technology”) and their status
(existing, planned, unplanned, for example). Here are some examples:
Figure 1 shows a roadmap in which
the product architecture has three elements (A-C). The legend shows
the range of technology sources of technologies with shapes and colors
and the status of each technology element is defined by the weight
and type of the outline.
Figure 1 Product-Technology Roadmap
Here's how to read the technology roadmap:
We are currently using existing technology 1 (which we developed
ourselves) to implement Element A, and we have a plan to replace it
with technology 2 (that we will obtain from a supplier) in 2010. For
Element B, we are using technology 3 and we will use a cost reduced
version of technology 3 obtained from a supplier in 2008. Element C
uses technology a and technology b (which we developed with a
partner). The roadmap includes a “Vision” for Element C, that is at
some unspecified time in the future, we see the ultimate technology
for Element C will be technology e. Technology e is currently
unplanned (“we don’t have a current plan to implement”), but we hope
to obtain technology e from research.
The roadmap in Figure 2 adds information about
development plans for some critical technologies. For technology 2
to be ready in 2010, we must begin development in 2008 and
demonstrate feasibility in mid-2009. We must begin to work with a
supplier in 2009 to have technology 6 ready for inclusion in the
product in 2010.
Figure 2 Technology Roadmap with Development
Intervals
Some roadmap formats display the evolution of multiple layers of
Market, Product and Technology. Figure 3 shows a multi-layer
roadmap where the idea is to show relationships among the markets,
products, and technologies involved in the plan.
Figure 3 Layered Roadmap
It is sometimes helpful to show links and
dependencies among the elements. In Figure 4, the connections from
technologies to products shows how products depend on technologies.
For example, Model 1 requires Tech a and Model 2 depends on Tech b.
Figure 4 Layered Roadmap with Links
