STANDARDS
& GROWTH
BRIEF
Development of a PSS, to submit to the “Conference on the Future of Europe”, that could contribute in exploring and determining new strategies and systems innovation at a European level.
Client
EU Parliament
Methodologies
Service Design
Research
Co-design
UX design
Deliverables
Service system
Press Kit
Policy Brief
Year
2022
PROCESS
The development of this project followed a six phases version of the “double diamond” process, structured over six phases.
FIRST PHASE: THE RESEARCH
The starting point of the project was “The Conference on the Future of Europe”, a European platform for significant public consultation, which is based on the proposal of “ideas” from the citizens, regarding different given topics. Out of the nine topics that were presented, one was chosen: Trade policy and Development Cooperation
Then, a bibliographical, demographic, historical and social analysis of the selected domain was carried out. Other points of research were:
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Explorations of the existing policy frameworks.
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Definition of areas for possible development of new systems and services.
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Case studies and interviews with lead stakeholders.
The research allowed us to produce a report, and help define a specific area of focus for the next steps: trade policy
SECOND PHASE: CONCEPT GENERATION
This second phase saw the generation of new innovative ideas for Products-Services Systems that addressed the design opportunities that emerged from the research phase.
Multiple tools were used during this stage, the main one being a 4x4 scenario development matrix.
The ideas were then refined, re-oriented or enriched in the following phases of research refinement and co-design.
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THIRD PHASE: ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
Additional research supported gaining a 360° understanding of the concerning topics.
The areas explored were: user profiling, economic feasibility, policy requirements and specific technologies involved. In this way, the concept could be refined, consolidated and oriented based on data, results, and evidence that can be found in the scientific literature, and studies.
FOURTH PHASE: CO DESIGN
Two co-design sessions were organized, designed, and conducted, using different tools and methods and with the target groups involved.
FIRST CO-DESIGN - PHYSICAL
To understand how SMEs navigate through our service to understand their needs and problems better. Validate if our service addresses their uncertainty problem and how to implement it.
SECOND CO-DESIGN - DIGITAL
To understand the general workings of SMEs in larger groups and their behaviour to confirm our findings regarding contracts and value creation
Gathering insights from interactive discussions was critical to re-shape and define the final PSS, so that it coud meet all the different needs.
Martha- Martha and Bob:
The affected person to whom the death meant a lot. In Afterme’s context, the loss would be of Jack’s parents as they were dependant on him due to their old age, they need some emotional and physical tending to, like Martha as she was going through pregnancy and the death of her loved one at the same time .
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FIFTH PHASE: PSS DESIGN, BUSINESS MODELING AND IMPACT ANALYSIS
Full development of the idea from all perspectives:
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The product-service system offering.
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The user experience.
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The front and backstage.
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The touch-points.
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The impact measurement and indicators.
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The stakeholder engagement.
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The business model.
The solution was developed in-depth against all aspects of why, who, what, when, and how. Costs, investments and expected impact were also defined, in order to draft an impact analysis that is crucial in any project directed to public administrations.
BUSINESS MODEL
CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAPPING
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SIXTH PHASE: PROTOTYPING AND ASSESSMENT
During the final phase of the project a prototype for the main digital touchpoint of the service (website) was developed.
Moreover an additional experimentation was carried out, on a more “theoretical” side, with the elaboration of a policy brief regarding the main topics covered by the final solution generated. This policy brief has been presented to a European Parliament representative.
THE CONCEPT
SMEs are the European Union engine because they are the 99,8% of the market force and the 8% of them are involved in international collaboration as being part of a Global value chain.
Standards & Growth is a project based on the Conference on the Future of Europe prompts on Trade policy and
One of the main opportunity for SMEs is the green growth: this involves eco-innovators, eco-enterprises and eco-adopters.
RESULTS
WHAT AND WHY?
The idea is to create a matchmaking platform that connects SMEs with possible clients, fostering green transition by adopting VSS (Voluntary Sustainability Standards). With this service, European SMEs can find prospect clients interested in buying certified products. Companies use the platform to advise other SMEs of their intention to get a specific certification. Prospect buyer companies can appreciate the post, demonstrating interest. In this way, SMEs can test the interest of the market towards a specific certification
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THE SYSTEM
The service aims to be integrated into European Resource Efficiency Knowledge Centre, promoting its mission of supporting companies toward energy transition and climate protection. The platform will be integrated with Enterprise European Network which can also benefit from the service by proposing to SMEs a new opportunity for business partnerships.
S&G offers a series of flexible services that cover the whole user experience, from awareness, analysis, support tool, validation and finalisation.
The core business is based on giving information on VSS, creating industry reports, matchmaking and connecting SMEs, and connecting with a list of service providers.
The service is designed in partnership with stakeholders that is adding soft services that integrate our offering. These include fairs and events, benchmarking on VSS, access to finance and support and partnering.
In order to offer this comprehensive service, it uses the collaboration of partners and stakeholders, creating the service ecosystem.
The soft services are provided by partners like EEN and ECCP. With S&G we help create a hook to have more SMEs apply to the network that already exists, like a funnel that amplifies the resonance of our partners.
SYSTEM MAP
OFFERING MAP
STAKEHOLDER MAPPING
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BENEFITS AND IMPACTS
- EEN provided services to 2.6 million SMEs in total since 2008
- 220.000 SMEs per year receive help from EEN
- 90.000 business connections every year
- 2.500 SMEs benefit from tailored support every year
- SMEs who use the network growth on average
- 3% point more than those who do not
- 86% satisfaction rate
- 81% of SMEs found that EEN helped them
to make cost-saving when entering new markets
- 30% of SMEs seeking to develop their business beyond
their national borders expect to create jobs in the next year.
We plan on promoting opportunities awareness and supporting SMEs by demonstrating investment feasibility. Implementing cooperation among
SMEs throw online P2P platform.
