Archive for January, 2010

We often tell people that failed projects are embraced by the SR&ED program, and sometimes it can be a little hard to understand exactly why. I mean, isn’t the program meant to promote innovation, and to encourage technological development? If so, then why are projects that don’t result in a more innovative product or process applicable for the SR&ED program?

This goes back to the three criteria of the program: Technological Advancement, Technological Obstacles and Technical Content.

When looking at a failed project, you most likely faced a number of Technological Obstacles while working on it – these obstacles are anything that prevented you from getting to the final objective, so obviously in a failed project you faced a number of obstacles.

The technical content shows the systematic investigation that was done while trying to reach the final objective, which would be done for both failed and successful projects.

Lastly, your knowledge has been expanded in the instance of failed projects as well – in these instances, you now have the knowledge that there is no way that you have found to get to the final objective.

So yes, failed projects definitely qualify for the SR&ED program, as long as they too fulfill the three criteria of the program.

With 2009 officially over, it’s time to look back on your year. While there’s no argument that this year was a hard one, the best thing you can do for yourself (and your business) is to consider your year from all angles. What were the positives? What were the negatives? Was there anything specific that you want to touch on? Write all of this down, and begin to consider how it will affect your 2010.

Not only is this a good exercise to look back on the year, but it will also aid in developing a direction for what’s to come. Looking at the positives, is there anything that you can expand or modify? Think about product or service modifications you can make. Looking at the negatives, how can you improve on these issues? Is there something that should be changed in your communication with customers? And finally, what were the things that you wanted to touch on? Was there any specific reason that these things stood out in your head? Considering all of these aspects will allow you to learn more about the company, and how you feel about your products, services, and your company overall.