Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

The process of designing online databases

Commonly, thematic networks are collecting and presenting a large variety of materials on their websites as knowledge reservoirs. How to build reliable database or knowledge reservoir? Which one is more useful for the end-users?



Step 1: the need for a database.

The process of creating databases consisting of innovative practice examples is usually top-down oriented. The formal obligation to share and publish information about project results ends up with low-value information, "about". In practice, these websites are just a catalogue of projects.



Step 2: beneficiaries.

The project catalogues are important for those users who are already busy with projects and are curious about new ideas; but practitioners´ needs are rather oriented to results and lessons learned. To find out the expectations, you must first get to know who your target group is, but this may turn out to be a rather tricky question. Depending on if your target is e.g. farmers, advisors or public servants, their needs may vary significantly.



Step 3: listen to the user.

One way to ascertain the user needs is to circulate a survey, but more useful is user testing. The fruitful end-user’s experience relies on the relationship between user and website administrator. The information may seem clearly understandable to the website designer, but not for the user. The feedback loop is a natural process of any product or service design.



Although the target group may be practitioners, advisors and innovation managers are the mediators in receiving feedback. They can be consulted more actively than farmers.



Lesson learned: Pick out your own critical viewer and build a relationship with him/her!

Source Project
EURAKNOS
Ongoing | 2019-2021
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Belgium
Project details

Project Keywords