Technology management with mathematical diffusion models

The life time of each technology consists of phases following each other. The phases can be identified by the typical features driving the improvements in a phase. Theoretical and empirical studies on technology management cover a wide variety of different efforts to model these dynamics. The dynamics include features common to all technologies but also features individual to a certain technology only. This paper gives an overview of mathematical models diffusion dynamics. The aim of the paper is to increase understanding of the life cycle analysis of different technologies. Deeper understanding supports better quality of technology management from the managers point of view and increases the predictability of future changes as well as the engineering process in general.