D2.2 – Pre‑piloting Technological Readiness

This document describes the conceptual and architectural framework as well as a development plan for EXCENTRIC pilot organisations on how to share data internally and with their network. To guide the technological development, we draw on three theoretical concepts: data intermediaries, data infrastructure and platform core/periphery. These concepts inform the design of a core infrastructure as a common denominator for all the pilots and the pilot-specific applications which are specific to pilots. In addition, we explain how we intend to apply value-sensitive design as the central design approach to introduce moral reflection into the technology development process and to shape the technology based on values that are important for the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI). 
In section 1, we define concepts guiding our design work: data intermediaries, data infrastructure and platform core/periphery. Each concept focuses on a different aspect of the question how data is made useful when it circulates across locally specific 
contexts. We conclude this chapter with an outline of the elements of data intermediaries we are planning to design, build, and test in the project and provide an overview of the Solid framework, which we will use to design the data sharing architecture for EXCENTRIC.
Section 2 explains how we apply value-sensitive design (VSD) as a design-based research methodology in combination with agile development processes. The chapter explains how we apply VSD to conceptualise values (identifying stakeholders and 
values), how we empirically study them (eliciting values and norms from pilots through methods like prototyping and user testing) and how we translate values into technology (translating values design specifications). The contours of the VSD 
methodology are accompanied by a technology development plan which describes iterative phases of technology development. As presented in the EXCENTRIC proposal, the project uses the Solid protocol to enable data sharing. We describe how Solid and 
data Pods will be used for the purpose of data sharing. We cover the following Solid standard components: data Pods (organizational storage spaces), applications/services (peripheral elements), and identity and access control and standard data models.  
Section 3 concludes this report with an overview list of the first design requirements. This list acts as a living document for the iterative process of technology development. As the project progresses and pilot technologies are further developed in the second year, the list of design requirements and underlying values will grow and be further specified. This is in part because our VSD approach elicits values and norms regarding the design context of the pilot projects, which require further definition and iteration during the co-creation workshops planned for Q1 ‘26 with the pilot organisations.