Purpose and scope
This policy explains how a new technology or method is assessed before it is introduced into a customer project or a Hosted product. Research, technical trials, pilot work, and the use of external expertise are addressed within this scope.
Selecting research topics
Research topics are assessed not only for popularity, but also for the problem they solve, their security impact, operational burden, total cost, provider dependency, and compatibility with existing systems.
- The business or user need is defined clearly.
- The reasons why existing solutions are insufficient are stated.
- Expected benefits are considered alongside technical and commercial risks.
- The decision to continue research, run a limited trial, or stop the work is recorded.
Trials and pilot work
Trials are conducted in a test environment with defined boundaries and success criteria. If customer or production data must be used, separate rules are established for data access, masking, and retention.
- Technical quality, cost, and operational requirements are assessed together.
- Unsuccessful or inconclusive results are also added to the decision record.
- A pilot closes with a decision to adopt, rework, or discontinue it.
Moving into a product or project
A successful trial does not automatically lead to production use. Security, scalability, supportability, licensing, and data responsibilities are reassessed before a production decision is made.
External collaboration
Work with an external specialist, provider, university, or research organisation begins when there is a specific need and the parties’ responsibilities have been documented.
Data access, confidentiality, use of outputs, source code, and ownership of other intellectual assets are stated clearly in the relevant agreement.
Intellectual assets and use of resources
Use and ownership terms for source code, designs, documentation, models, datasets, and similar outputs are defined before a project begins. Licences and third-party terms form part of the technical assessment.
Time, infrastructure, and external services allocated to research are kept proportionate to the work’s expected value and risk.
Review
This policy is reviewed when there is a material change to the relevant service, process, organisational structure, or applicable law. After any necessary revisions, the current text and revision date are published on this page.