ASPECT
A Scientific Paradigm for the Efficient Classification of Technology
portability | maturity | autonomy | motivity
The ASPECT framework is a standardized methodology for classifying and describing technology. It defines underlying dimensions of technology and uses them to map projects into a shared space, allowing clearer insight into their capabilities, requirements, and relationships.
ASPECT was designed to unify our understanding of automation, AI/ML technology, and “classical” software. We focus on “technology” instead of “AI/ML technology” because the latter is a subset of the former. Focusing on AI/ML as the end goal is not fruitful or correct. In fact, doing so is backward. AI/ML software is not novel in any meaningful sense. Even if it was, it would still be 100% predicated on the scientific principles of software.
In the context of technology, AI/ML and automation are the same.
Tip
Key Components
Primary attributes
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📦 Portability
- Limited (level 0)
- Source (level 1)
- Containerized (level 2)
- Installer (level 3)
- Package manager (level 4)
- WebAssembly (level 5)
🪴 Maturity
- Unvalidated (level 0)
- Discovery (level 1)
- Concept (level 2)
- Development (level 3)
- Prototype (level 4)
- Proven (level 5)
🤝 Autonomy
- Manual (level 0)
- Machine-assisted (level 1)
- Human-as-primary (level 2)
- Machine-as-primary (level 3)
- Human-supervised (level 4)
- Machine-only (level 5)
🦾 Motivity
- Inert (level 0)
- Computational (level 1)
- Perceptive (level 2)
- Projective (level 3)
- Reactive (level 4)
- Adaptive (level 5)
💾 Data
Data is not included in primary four attributes, but is very important when characterizing technology.
Data has multiple dimensions
- Real or Synthetic
- Availability
- Modality
- Quality
Example
The ASPECT framework can be applied in various scenarios
Consider a fictional project with the following characterization:
| Attribute | Level | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 📦 Portability | Level 1 | Source |
| 🪴 Maturity | Level 3 | Development |
| 🤝 Autonomy | Level 1 | Machine-assisted |
| 🦾 Motivity | Level 2 | Perceptive |
Badge Visualization
ASPECT can be visualized in a badge-like form for visual project portfolio management
Figure 1: ASPECT badge for a project
Figure 1 is an example of an ASPECT badge that provides immediate feedback on the state of the project and its technology components. It can be used in project dashboards, reports, and presentations to communicate the current status and future goals of the project in a clear and concise manner. Figure 2 below shows the same badge as depicted in figure 1, but with the attributes annotated for clarity.
Figure 2: Annotated ASPECT badge