Benefits and Challenges of implementing the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) matrix in the automotive manufacturing industry : A Case Study with Volvo Group Trucks Operations

Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to analyze the benefits and the challenges in implementing the manufacturing technology maturity assessment matrix from the US Department of Defence (US DoD) which is the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) matrix, in automotive manufacturing industry. MRL matrix is created for maturity assessment in the defence acquisition process of the US DoD. This matrix is considered as an efficient and effective way of maturity assessment of manufacturing technologies and the resource allocation in the portfolio management. The thesis is based on a case study at an automotive manufacturing firm, taking its steps towards the MRL matrix from a stage-gate model in its portfolio management.  A Qualitative method study is carried out in this research and interviews were taken from six different personnel from an automotive manufacturing firm. These interviews gave a better understanding of the expectations and level of details needed in the MRL matrix.  From the data collected from this case study, six findings were found, which are a manufacturing technology should be implemented on the factory floor only when it is completely mature, the MRL framework by US DoD is complicated and the language used is difficult to understand, and four other findings. These findings clearly show the benefits and challenges of implementing the MRL matrix by the US DoD in the automotive manufacturing industry.