What is defined as the improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method?

The term that describes the improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method is innovation. Innovation focuses on enhancing or refining what is already in place, leading to improvements in functionality, efficiency, or user experience. This can involve adopting new technologies, applying fresh ideas, or improving usability to meet user needs better.

For instance, a smartphone model may introduce enhanced camera features or battery life compared to its predecessor, representing innovation in that technology. Innovation is crucial in technology as it drives progress, keeping products and methods relevant in a constantly changing market.

While invention refers to the creation of new ideas or products that did not exist before, and the design process is a structured approach to solving problems or developing new entities, neither focuses on the improvement aspect embedded in innovation. A design brief is a document outlining the objectives and requirements of a project or design, which is more about guiding the design process than improving existing products or systems.