User Needs and Requirements Analysis
Before the first SmartWork Prototype and as a way to develop scalable services adaptable to the worker’s profile, the end-users at the pilot sites, Cáritas (Coimbra, Portugal) and Aarhus (Denmark), will undergo consultation (questionnaire, interviews, focus groups with employees, employers and carers) to fill in the gaps of research, to investigate meanings about the current situation of working ability and sustainability, understanding cultural differences and priorities for workers with the objective of identifying user needs and establishing requirements for the prototype. In the User Needs and Requirements Analysis phase there are going to be reports on ethical and safety issues that include:
1. Legal and deontological framework for ICT research and development, including application to fragile target groups
2. Ethical and professional conduct principles
3. Legal considerations and recommendations on data collection, monitoring, storage and security of personal data.
This preliminary evaluation of the ethical feasibility will establish the level of concern for sensors, tools, and devices before running the pilots.
Real life testing
Once the first SmartWork prototype has been developed and undergone successful in-lab testing and validation, it will be used in a structured two-stage pilot study with the objectives of testing the feasibility of the proposed Smart Services Suite in everyday use (trial operation in semi-controlled environments), and secondly to evaluate the SmartWork system and services in real-world settings.
Trial Operation in Semi-Controlled Environments
The aim is to carefully investigate and highlight any potential issues that may impede implementation of SmartWork. Each prototype version as delivered by WP7 (i.e. having already undergone in-lab testing and validation) will be evaluated carefully from 12 older office workers, 2 managers and 2 carers, recruited from partner employees at CDC pilot site centre (Coimbra, Portugal).
The office workers will undergo a start-up demonstration followed by full training of use of each unobtrusive momtoring device and Smart Service and will be monitored in all environments (work, home, on-the-move) for 2 continuous months of testing, with close support provided, as required, from the research and technical team.
The managers and the carers will also participate in the trial operation in semi-controlled environments, in parallel with the workers. The aim is to test the ease of use of the SmartWork system and Smart Services Suite and identify any practical difficulties the end users may experience.
At the end of each trial operation, a report will be issued describing functionality and technical Issues encountered. This will allow us to improve the SmartWork system and services before starting the second phase of the evaluation.
Field trials with end users
The aim of this study is to obtain preliminary evidence of effectiveness of the SmartWork system and Smart Services Suite in maintaining/increasing Work Ability of older office workers. A total of 60 end-users will be recruited at the pilot sites, CDC (Coimbra, Portugal) and CAT (Denmark).
Inclusion criteria for office workers:
- age 55-65 of both genders (1: 1 for each pilot site)
- able to proxide informed comsent
- mobile phone and home computer with internet access
Exclusion criteria:
- Individuals who do not wish to participate
- Individuals who withhold their consent
- Individuals who do not speak the of the corresponding test pilot site
- individuals who have active psychiatric disorder, based on medical records or clinical opinion at the time of the recruitment, are current substance users, or excessive alcohol drinkers.