The R2O team collaborate with model development, observation applications and data assimilation scientists on research projects to improve components of the NWP systems and pull these through into operational use. They also liaise with the technology teams responsible for configuring and routinely running the operational forecasts to improve the processes for testing and delivering these developments. Finally, R2O scientists work closely with users of operational output, including operational forecasters, to understand the wider impacts of changes. This helps inform decision making during development projects and feeds back into the Met Office's future research plans.