The phrase research and development (also R and D or, more often, R&D), according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of human, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.  

New product design and development is more than often a crucial factor in the survival of a company. In an industry that is fast changing, firms must continually revise their design and range of products. This is necessary due to continuous technology change and development as well as other competitors and the changing preference of customers.  

R&D activities are often required during product development process. While in many cases research and development is very technical and is used to address and solve various technical issues particularly for the product systems, function and performance of the new and not well explored solutions, than research and development together with testing is used as a tool to investigate various proposed solutions or design concepts. In the very beginning designers perform research of the market and similar products to determine the most optimal design and engineering approach as well as establish the standards for the new product.  

DESIGNLORE provides various Research and Development activities from scientific testing, exploration and verification of potential design solutions, to research of existing and similar products as part of product concept and product market research.  

See also: Design, Mechanical Design, Industrial Design, Engineering, Product design, Product Engineering   http://www.designlore.com/advantage/timetomarket.htm