Lesson 3.2 — SOTA Analysis: Prior Art Research, TRL, and the IPR Landscape
SOTA Analysis: Prior Art Research, TRL, and the IPR Landscape
This lesson is currently text-based. Use this page as the concise guide and the downloadable PDF for the full supporting detail.
Lesson content
This lesson explains the two pillars of SOTA analysis—prior art research and IPR search—and shows how TRL findings translate into procurement strategy.
What you will learn
- Define SOTA and explain why it follows needs assessment
- Distinguish prior art research from a targeted IPR search
- Apply the six-step SOTA process
- Interpret TRL as a range rather than a false point estimate
- Link market-gap findings to COTS, PPI or PCP
The six-step SOTA process
TRL maturity ladder
Technology Readiness Levels move from observed concepts to a system proven in operation. Estimate a range and validate it against the intended use case.
Implication: Basic or applied research; not ready for solution procurement.
Implication: R&D remains; typically PCP territory.
Implication: TRL 7 may bridge PCP to PPI; TRL 8 supports PPI; TRL 9 supports PPI or standard procurement.
Key terms
| Prior art | Publicly available products, R&D, publications, standards and other relevant knowledge. |
|---|---|
| IPR search | Patent-focused research used to map ownership, key R&D actors and infringement risks. |
| White space | A field in which no existing solution adequately addresses the need. |
| TRL range | A maturity interval that reflects uncertainty and use-case dependence. |
From SOTA finding to procurement route
Use the evidence to identify the size of the gap—then select the route that fits the remaining development need.
Do available solutions meet the priority functional needs?
All needs are met
One solution—or a combination of available solutions—fully addresses the need.
Check integration complexity and vendor lock-in.
Some needs are met
Existing technologies cover part of the need, but a clear R&D gap remains—often around TRL 5–6.
Define the gap precisely and retain competition between approaches.
No needs are met
The analysis reveals “white space”: no existing solution addresses the core need—often around TRL 3–4.
Confirm technical feasibility and market interest before launch.
Decision rule: TRL informs the route, but does not decide it alone. Validate the TRL range, use-case fit, IPR position and supplier interest through OMC.
Before you continue
Reflection: Which evidence source would be most likely to reveal a solution your team does not currently know?
Lesson resource: S3-L2 — SOTA Analysis, Prior Art & TRL.
