Towards a readiness level-based development of methodical approaches (MxRL)

Developing methodical approaches, from methods and concepts to algorithms and comprehensive methodologies, requires application-specific expertise and a structured procedure to ensure both workflow efficiency and validity. This contribution introduces a conceptual model for assessing the maturity of methodical approaches through ten predefined readiness levels. By achieving level-specific sub-goals, the model aims to systematize the development process while progressively increasing maturity, ultimately yielding more effective approaches. This novel concept not only supports the structured development of methodical approaches, but also facilitates their comparability and evaluation. The necessity of the proposed concept is substantiated through a systematic literature review, while its functionality is critically evaluated and validated by experts and using multiple examples.