H2020 ACCEPT Project: D7.1 – Consumer Validation Report v1

This deliverable will present the methodology for consumer validation of ACCEPT solutions, as well as document the barriers and drivers that influence the types of digital services stakeholders find most valuable. It will also identify engagement channels for co-creation with consumers in order to understand user preferences, needs and limitations related to ACCEPT services. This first report will present the overall methodology for consumer validation, while the updates in M33 and M42 will provide more detailed assessment of the outcomes of consumer validation activities. Successful exploitation of solutions and business models is reliant on gathering stakeholder feedback on products and services from the early development stage through to the project’s conclusion. ACCEPT services validation methodology encompasses three phases: pre-analysis, pre-validation, and user validation as a part of ACCEPT living labs concept. The pre-analysis has been mainly conducted through background studies (D3.2 and D3.3), consumer engagement and design validation activities in WP3, and a concept testing survey (D2.1) together with other activities in WP2. Pre-validation will be conducted at ACCEPT testbeds before full deployment of solutions to selected consumers in the pilot sites, and co-creation activities to assess people’s lived experiences with the solutions. The validation and co-creation roadmap include a range of activities: First step will be design of user personas to reflect different real-world user types and are used to guide the design decisions of tool and service developers. User personas will be validated in workshops in each of the pilot sites. The second step involves both technical testing ACCEPT solutions at pre-validation test beds and user testing of ACCEPT user interfaces, including citizen apps and community tool’s user interfaces. Early testing and continuous collection of user feedback are key cornerstones for successful design and subsequent adaptation of the solutions. Following pre-validation, the ACCEPT solutions will be fully deployed at pilot sites and end users will be engaged in co-creation activities to assess their views, needs and preferences related to ACCEPT solutions and services. The aim is to bring hassle-free benefits to consumers with minimal level of intrusion and maintaining living comfort. ACCEPT Living Lab concept will be a main enabler of communication and information between the consumers, pilot sites, and the technical development teams through hybrid collaboration approach presented in D3.1. ACCEPT user validation strategy includes validation of business models and related feedback towards the end of the project. Tools and methods for end-user engagement include user-centred methods including interviews, focus groups, workshops, user experience questionnaires and system usability scale assessments. Tools utilized will be defined for each co-creation round, depending on the type of the session and solutions or services to be tested. While the aim is to hold as many presential sessions with the end-users as possible, a range of digital tools for engagement can be utilized should, for example, the COVID19 situation prohibit organization of presential workshops