Lifecycle R&D – Recognising Qualifying Activities Across the Engineering Development Cycle

R&D within the broader engineering industry, whether in electrical, mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering, is rarely confined to the early design phase. Instead, it often arises throughout the entire lifecycle of a product or system. In this article, we explore how R&D can emerge at various stages of the engineering development process and how firms can better identify and capture qualifying activities beyond initial prototyping.

R&D Across the Lifecycle

  1. Feasibility and Concept Evaluation: Assessing novel manufacturing approaches to meet new tolerances. Conducting trade-off analysis between thermal performance and material selection.

  2. Detailed Design and Simulation: Developing and refining CAD models beyond conventional limits. Using finite element analysis (FEA) or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to resolve new performance challenges.

  3. Prototyping and Iteration: Building and testing functional prototypes to validate assumptions. Multiple cycles of refinement due to unforeseen electromagnetic interference or material fatigue.

  4. Pre-Production and Validation: Addressing scale-up issues where production methods affect component performance. Validating product behaviour in compliance or extreme environments.

  5. In-Life Upgrades and Retrofits: Modifying existing systems with new features requiring R&D. Retrofitting monitoring systems that must integrate seamlessly into ageing infrastructure.

Best Practices for Claiming

  • Document the R&D methodology and technological uncertainties faced at each stage of the development lifecycle.

  • Separate R&D from standard QA or regulatory testing.

  • Capture time spent by multidisciplinary teams (e.g. electrical and software engineers working together).

Mechanical and electrical engineering R&D is often iterative and non-linear. Recognising where technical challenges arise throughout the lifecycle helps ensure claims reflect the full scope of eligible activity.

Westlock Partners is well-versed in the end-to-end engineering lifecycle. We help businesses map their development efforts across all phases, ensuring no qualifying activity is overlooked. Reach out today to see how we can help maximise your claim potential.