The pathway to achieving successful implementation varies depending on the type of research undertaken, as does the timeframe to realise the benefits. A bespoke implementation plan is developed for each project at inception, updated during the project lifecycle, and for significant completed outputs, kept alive after the research is completed.

The section below provides a summary of the implementation pathways and benefits realisation timeframe depending on the type of innovation being pursued; optimisation, incremental and radical.

OPTIMISATION

Driver for change: Make the most of today’s railway

Typical implementation pathway(s): Updates to standards and provision of new guidance and tools directly usable by stakeholder organisations with minimal support.

Typical benefits realisation timeframe: Benefits potentially realised within 6 to 24 months with very limited further investment.

INCREMENTAL

Driver for change: Enable system improvements

Typical implementation pathway(s): Work with suppliers and industry to initiate (in-service) pilot(s) where needed, and support first deployment before handover to industry.

Typical benefits realisation timeframe: Typically linked to asset replacement or renewal opportunities, benefit realisation tends to be achieved in a 2-to-5-year window.

RADICAL

Driver for change: Unlock fundamental change

Typical implementation pathway(s): (1) Product developments to be pursued commercially once de-risked by successful feasibility assessment; or (2) New standards and guidance to inform the procurement and deployment of novel solutions.

Typical benefits realisation timeframe: Benefit delivery likely to be 5+ years from completion of the initial research.

Get in touch

If you have identified specific research output(s) that you believe your organisation could benefit from, and would like to request support in implementing them, please get in touch. We would be happy to explore ways in which we can support you.

If you have made use of specific research outputs, we would be delighted to receive your feedback to understand what difference they have made to your role or your organisation. Understanding successful adoption helps us to corral other organisations in a similar position to consider taking them forward, and helps us improve future implementation planning.