# TRL8 - production version tested in real environment The difference between TRL8 and [[TRL7 - prototype version in real environment]] is that now that you’ve upgraded from a ‘prototype’ to a ‘production version’ In software this has a connotation of a lot more testing but it’s possible that the difference is just semantic - merging from `master` to `prod`. For physical technology - both in biology and outside the difference has a lot to do with manufacturability. A prototype technology can be and is often hand-built, while a production version needs to be manufacturable at whatever scale it’s expected to be used. Note that this makes it easier for high-value, low-volume physical goods to make the jump to TRL8 more easily. Many of the components flown in actual space are hand-made. The jump from TRL7 to TRL8 is one that regularly kills kickstarted consumer electronics projects because figuring out how to redesign the product so quality doesn’t drop while still being able to manufacture at scale is really hard and expensive. This is where things like [[Six Sigma is a process improvement framework created at Motorola]] are relevant. [Web URL for this note](http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/TRL8+-+production+version+tested+in+real+environment) [Comment on this note](http://via.hypothes.is/http://notes.benjaminreinhardt.com/TRL8+-+production+version+tested+in+real+environment)