Validation plan

This deliverable proposes a methodological framework for how to conduct the pilot validation - from the project's overall goal, objectives, and key results to the identification of use cases in the pilots, the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each use case and the identification of concrete validation activities. To support the KPI measurement, the deliverable provides a detailed guide and two assessment forms with examples of how to fill them out. The guide comprises the KPI descriptions, KPI initial and target values, measurement methods and time, the measurement iterations, and the lead partners for each measurement. The lead partners can use the forms for the preparation phase prior to the measurement and for the data collection during the measurement. Moreover, to ensure that TRICK's KPI measurements are executed timely, we prepared a validation plan, illustrating the start date, end date and the milestones for each KPI. These results primarily inform Task 5.3 "TC lighthouse pilot execution and evaluation" and Task 5.4 "Food replication pilot execution and evaluation".The research approach that we adopted is based on Design Science, a methodology that is recommended for both the development of research applications with enhanced practical relevance and for the development of new knowledge. Since Design Science is a multi-method strategy, this research combined a literature study of pilot validation and performance measurement in earlier EU projects and in academic publications, with studies of Textile and Clothing (TC) and Food use cases, and with action research. In line with the action research method, the results were iteratively validated and refined with the TRICK partners, through a series of workshops and interviews. Thus, we argue that the methodological framework, the assessment guide, and the forms that were developed can be applied to both the pilot validation of this project and of other R&D projects.