Applied research and innovation (R&I) projects traditionally follow a linear development model. While appropriate for well-defined problems, this approach can be ill suited for applied R&I addressing novel or highly innovative topics. In a number of large, EU-funded aquaculture projects, including PrimeFish, ClimeFish, AquaVitae, and OCCAM, we have tried out an iterative development approach where we deliver a sequence of prototypes of increasing functionality and complexity. This approach provides a structure and a schedule for how to engage users of the project outputs and other interested stakeholders. Initial requirements for the project outputs are established by consulting them at the onset of the project, and normally two prototypes of project outputs are delivered for testing and feedback before the final version is produced at the end. This ensures that users get to see and to some degree use and test the outputs at pre-defined stages of the project, so that feedback can be given and requirements can be revised if needed. This reduces the chances of producing outputs that are not seen as relevant and increases the feeling of ownership by the users who have actively been part of the development process. Having common deadlines across the project for delivering the prototypes also makes stakeholder interaction more predictable and minimises stakeholder fatigue (which is a common problem in projects like this) as all prototypes are available and can be tested at the same time.
Initially, in PrimeFish and earlier seafood projects, we tested the iterative approach on a limited number of outputs that were deemed suitable for prototyping. This worked well, and from ClimeFish and onwards the iterative approach has been the main process model for the entire project, with common prototype delivery deadlines for a range of outputs of different types. This presentation will outline pros and cons of the iterative approach, both in general and in particular for aquaculture R&I projects.
Acknowledgments
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe Framework Programmes under grant agreements #635761 PrimeFish, #677039 ClimeFish, #818173 AquaVitae, and #101182044 OCCAM.