Research concept · Plain-language guide
What is a systematic progression of work?
A systematic progression of work is a reasoned sequence in which a question leads to a hypothesis, experiments test it, observations are evaluated and conclusions determine the next step, with evidence connecting each stage.
01
What it means in practice
Question and hypothesis
Define the unresolved outcome and an explanation or expectation that can be contradicted.
Experiment and observation
Use an appropriate test to generate evidence and record what occurred, including anomalies.
Evaluation and conclusion
Assess the evidence against the hypothesis and use it to determine the next step.
02
Examples
- A manufacturing team tests one variable, records the partial result, then designs the next interaction test
- A software team uses fault injection to distinguish two recovery explanations
- A building team validates a model against independent physical results
03
What it is not
- Successive versions with no stated question
- Changing inputs until something works without controls
- Routine quality assurance against known specifications
- A research story reconstructed after development
04
How Ignition Research applies the concept
We use the concept to improve technical decision-making, not as a label to place over ordinary development. We connect it to a defined outcome, appropriate evidence and a decision rule, then maintain that logic while the work is conducted.
The Ignition research value chain
One methodology, six steps — each with a named output
- 01FrameA testable research question
- 02DesignExperiment plan & controls
- 03ExecuteRuns & recorded findings
- 04IntegrateSpecialists, coordinated
- 05GovernEvidence log & audit trail
- 06ReturnValidated, claim-ready records
General information only. This page does not determine R&D Tax Incentive eligibility and is not tax, legal, financial or grant advice. Whether any government support pathway may be relevant depends on the project's specific activities, structure, evidence and the current program rules.
Next step
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