An analytical approach to building a technology development envelope (TDE) for roadmapping of emerging technologies: a case study of emerging electronic cooling technologies for computer servers

This paper proposes a systematic approach to help technology managers to strategically identify and select emerging technologies in which to invest in order to achieve technological competitiveness in their new product development. The combination of Delphi method and hierarchal decision model is used in building a technology development envelope (TDE) - a curve representing a series of technologies with maximum impact on company´s competitiveness over time. The result of TDE can be used as strategic inputs in the company´s technology roadmapping process. A specific case study of emerging electronic cooling technologies for computer servers is introduced for demonstrating the model development processes in this paper.