The Tech Scorecard Methodology
A novel, comprehensive framework designed to measure positional advantage across critical technology sectors in an era of strategic competition.
Positional Advantage Framework
Hover over the dimensions below to explore the five pillars of national competitiveness.
Innovation Leadership
Technical Metrics
Evaluates the foundational research and qualitative system capabilities that define the bleeding edge of technological progress.
Example Indicators
R&D breakthroughs, patents, academic output, and system performance capabilities.
Comparative Scorecard Output
Each technology assessment includes a comparative visualization like the one shown here. This radar chart maps the relative advantages of the United States and China across the five dimensions, providing an instant strategic snapshot of the competitive landscape.
1 — Negligible/Nascent | 2 — Emerging/Minor | 3 — Competitive/Mainstream | 4 — Advanced/Leading | 5 — State-of-the-Art/Dominant
The Analysis Process
A standardized, repeatable methodology ensures consistency, while the technology-specific nature of the process ensures an improved fit and accuracy.
Metric Selection
Tailored quantitative & qualitative metrics are selected for each technology and vary based on lifecycle stage (emerging, evolving, established).
Importance Assignment
Metrics assigned High, Medium, or Low weight based on expert judgment of diagnosticity.
Data Collection
Synthesizing research, open source data, subscriptions, and expert input to fill gaps.
Metric Scoring
Rating US and China on a 1-5 scale using a structured analytic rubric.
Trend Assessment
Assessing directionality: is the metric trending towards China or the United States?
Weighting
Weighted scores summed and normalized to determine the category leader.
Metric Scoring Rubric
The type of metrics selected for a technology varies across Tech Readiness Levels (TRLs).
Negligible / Nascent
Minimal presence or capability. Statistically insignificant on a global scale.
Emerging / Minor
Active but below global average. Followers or niche players. Performance is functional but inferior.
Competitive / Mainstream
Operates at global industry standard. Healthy ecosystem meeting market needs but not superior.
Advanced / Leading
Top tier globally. Performance, scale, or quality exceeds average and rivals the best.
State-of-the-Art / Dominant
Sets the global benchmark. Represents the absolute peak of what is currently possible.
Metric Selection Matrix
The type of metrics selected for a technology varies across Tech Readiness Levels (TRLs).
| Category | Emerging Technologies | Evolving Technologies | Established Technologies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation Leadership | BREAKTHROUGHSScientific Milestones, R&D, Academic Output | SYSTEM PERFORMANCEQualitative Capabilities, Speed, Reliability | NEXT-GEN DEVELOPMENTNovel Patents, Efficiency Improvements |
| Industrial Capacity | RESEARCH HARDWARENumber of Labs, Access to Specialized Equipment | INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDOUTEnabling Hardware Capacity, Manufacturing Facilities | SUPPLY CHAIN CONTROLManufacturing Capacity, Control of Inputs |
| Market Ecosystem | COMMERCIALIZATIONNumber of Startups, Private Investment | SCALINGCompany Size, Investment, User Base, Cost Curves | GLOBAL DOMINANCEDomestic Adoption, Global Market Share, Top Companies |
| Talent Pipeline | GENIUS ATTRACTIONPhD Graduates, Competition and Conference Participants | WORKFORCE FORMATIONEducation Programs, Job Availability and Pay | SOCIETAL BUY-INJob Training Programs, Public Awareness |
| National Leverage | VISIONARY STRATEGYNational Lists, Defense Strategies, Government Spending | COORDINATED EMPOWERMENTRegulations, Standards | GEOPOLITICAL STRENGTHGovernment Focus, Allies, Chokepoint Control |
Overall Winner Designations
After metric scoring, experts determine the topline takeaway based on the breadth of the gap and number of categories led.
The United States holds a decisive advantage in current capability and future trajectory. China would require significant structural shifts or unexpected breakthroughs to close the gap within 5 years.
No clear leader. The U.S. and China remain closely tied across the five categories, or strengths in different categories are of an equal magnitude and importance to offset each other. The near-term outcome of this competition is uncertain.
The PRC has established a dominant market position or technological superiority. The U.S. is currently playing catch-up and faces high barriers to regaining leadership.