KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A high-performing state of the art relies on a multi-source approach.
- Combining patents, publications, web and projects reveals the real trends.
- Multi-source analysis reduces bias and brings weak signals to light.
- A 360° monitoring approach allows for faster innovation and better decision-making.
Having a multi-source approach allows you to master the state of the art in your field and hold the key to innovating effectively.
The approach involves compiling a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on a given subject. But to be truly relevant, this state-of-the-art review must absolutely be based on a multi-source approach!
By combining information from patents, scientific publications, web data and more you will have an infinitely richer and more useful understanding of the issues, players and trends.
Why is this fundamental? And how can we achieve it? We'll explain…!
WHAT IS A STATE OF THE ART?
The state of the art represents the strategic starting point for any innovation or research project. It will allow us to identify:
- Key players : who is active in a specific field ? What are the research laboratories, companies, or start-ups ?
- The degree of maturity of the different technologies represented.
- Emerging technologies : which ones are currently under development or have recently been commercialized ?
- Industry trends : what shapes the market or research ?
But to obtain a useful state-of-the-art overview, the exercise is not limited to data collection. It is the detailed analysis that will allow us to draw strategic lessons. The ultimate goal is to identify opportunities, partners , and anticipate market trends.
WHY A MULTI-SOURCE APPROACH IS ESSENTIAL
Diversify to better understand
Each source of information sheds different light on the same subject. Some examples of useful and essential sources:
- Scientific publications and conference proceedings provide insight into the state of fundamental and technological research. They reveal the most upstream advances and, where applicable, allow for the identification of key university collaborations or research frontiers.
- Patents lie at the intersection of applied research and innovation. They allow for the identification of technologies ready for exploitation, as well as key market players. However, by the time you become aware of them, you're already two years behind. Publication of a patent application occurs 18 months after its filing, plus the time required for drafting and, incidentally, some preliminary research.
- The web and social networks offer real-time information on existing products, user feedback, or R&D development trends.
- Collaborative projects (e.g., those of the French National Research Agency (ANR) or the European Union) provide insight into ongoing research and the actors (including your competitors) conducting it. They also offer a perspective on medium- to long-term advancements.
Maximize the complementarity of information
Relying solely on a single source, such as patents, can lead to bias. All sources have their advantages and disadvantages. Limiting the state of the art to patents can result in serious misinterpretations. First, not everything is patentable… and furthermore, many players choose not to file patents and prefer other forms of protection.
To be useful for strategic purposes, a state-of-the-art review must therefore systematically cover all available sources: scientific articles, websites or specialized press, collaborative projects, but also theses and conference proceedings. You will gain a far more nuanced strategic understanding than with research limited to a single source… and you will reduce the risk of missing weak signals.
Informed decision making
Diverse and cross-referenced data allows management teams to base their decisions on verified facts rather than assumptions. This reduces the risk of missing valuable information and maximizes their ability to seize opportunities, whether they involve technology investments, strategic partnerships, or exploring new markets.
For further reading, see also – Patent landscape: mapping your patent environment and monitoring your competitors
THE CHALLENGES OF A MULTI-SOURCE APPROACH
Information volume and infobesity
Millions of documents (articles, patents, theses, etc.) are published worldwide each year . In this context, sorting and analyzing relevant information is a real challenge
Simply collecting the data is not enough: it is necessary to structure and clean the data before clear and actionable lessons can be drawn from it.
This large and heterogeneous data is collected in a wide variety of formats. This diversity necessitates the use of tools capable of grouping all the data useful for creating a state-of-the-art review into a standardized , enriching it in particular with artificial intelligence before it can be analyzed.
Lack of time and resources
Therefore, conducting exhaustive research and relevant analysis from data from multiple sources is likely to be very time-consuming and often requires dedicated and specialized teams.
Databases (free or paid) most often offer advanced search functionalities, and sometimes even some interesting analysis and filter tools. However, you risk having to carry out as many analyzes as there are sources, which makes the task even more complex.
THE NEED TO OPT FOR TOOLS ADAPTED TO THE MULTI-SOURCE APPROACH
Gathering information from such diverse sources therefore requires tools capable of processing heterogeneous data. This is where the TKM platform , enabling the aggregation, analysis , and visualization of this type of data via a collaborative.
This allows you to save time in order to:
- detect weak signals,
- mapping emerging technologies,
- anticipate market movements.
The software approach: a 360° state of the art
TKM Platform does more than just analyze: the tool allows you to centralize information from a multitude of available sources, facilitating collaboration between R&D, innovation , and intellectual property teams. With intuitive visualizations , even non-experts can quickly grasp the issues at stake.
By combining artificial intelligence, semantic analysis, and advanced visualization tools, TKM Platform allows you to:
- to cross-reference data from patents, articles, theses, collaborative projects and the web.
- to provide clear summaries, tailored to the strategic needs of decision-makers.
- to anticipate trends through proactive and structured monitoring.
The objective? To enjoy a comprehensive and detailed view, avoid blind spots and maximize the strategic exploitation of state-of-the-art studies.
A multi-source approach is essential for conducting a relevant state-of-the-art review. It ensures comprehensive and in-depth coverage of information, while avoiding the biases of an analysis limited to a single source.
With its monitoring and analytics platform, TKM places multi-source exploration at the heart of its approach, offering businesses a 360° to make informed strategic decisions. Discover how the TKM Platform can transform your approach to state-of-the-art information and strengthen your strategic decision-making.
Discover what the TKM platform offers you:
"Data Lake" module:
Search, collect and export
Module "Projects":
Organize and manage your projects
"Analysis" module:
Analyze and interpret your data
"Watches" module:
Edit and share your curated content
"Start-up" module:
Identify innovative start-ups and SMEs
"Studies" module:
Find your deliverables prepared by TKM Services
