Simply defined, implementation is the process of putting into practice something new to those attempting change. More accurately, however, from both a theoretical and practical perspective it is better described as a cluster of co-dependent processes involving knowledge acquisition, management and support, trialling, feedback and mutual adaption. This paper considers the potential influence of scientists and technologists on implementation. It is argued that there is scope, even a responsibility, for scientists to participate more fully in the productive cycle beyond R&D.