Living Lab Method

The Living Lab is a systematic user-centered research method for developing and exploring new ideas. It takes place in innovation environments where participants are embedded within real life situations and environments. The fundamental concept is that not only users but also other stakeholders e.g. partners and designers participate directly in the co-creation phase. The aim is to gain direct access to users' ideas, experiences and knowledge based on their daily needs and desires related to IoT applications, products and services. They also participate in exploration, experimentation and evaluation of ideas as well as scenarios and concepts in real life use cases. Living Labs enable research groups to improve and create value in products, services or IoT applications.

The Living Lab Method combines innovation and research processes (co-creation approach).

The integration of users is an essential part of the Living Lab Method. This allows for the consideration of requirements directly in the process and avoids mistakes in development which can be very expensive. Therefore, it is possible to make a decision whether you continue your innovation idea or stop it. Moreover, the early integration of users allows for testing the prototypes in real life use cases, making early changes and finally reducing uncertainty of new products or services. The Living Lab Method consists of the following phases:

Co-Creation

The first phase consists of three sub-phases of analysis (problems, needs and market analysis), ideation and co-design with users and other stakeholders. This can include tools like brainstorming sessions, focus groups or interviews and questionnaires. Further tools can be used to build a clear picture (Personas, Canvas Methods...). After ranking or filtering the ideas, a promising idea is chosen.

Exploration

In the second phase the task is to find out whether the idea can work. The main tool used is prototyping. With prototypes, products or services can be simulated and it is easier to explain these to the research team and other stakeholders. For this, rapid prototyping or fake mock-ups can be used.

Experimentation

After the insight that the prototype can work, the third step is to test the idea. For this, testbeds and trials or ethnographic methods are commonly used tools. The research team aims to understand the interaction and behavior towards products or services. For the experimentation phase hypotheses can be formulated and data can be defined that should be collected to validate the hypotheses.

Evaluation

The feedback of the experimenation phase is the base for the evaluation phase that allows for improvements in product, service or environment. In the evaluation phase data can be analyzed, hypotheses can be validated and conclusions can be made. For this, professional and expert evaluations or focus groups can be used. Identified issues go to the next iteration.

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Source: ausmt, Wikipedia, Alcotra, Resources, Lecture Slides