Early Validation of Stakeholder Needs by Applying Co‐creation Sessions

Abstract

This paper investigates the application of co-creation sessions as a method in the early phases of development projects. The target is to do an early validation of stakeholder needs prior to project start. Co-creation sessions engage key stakeholders to share knowledge in collaborative exercises to gain a mutual understanding of the problem and build a solution landscape. We study three co-creation sessions in early phase development projects by using interviews and feedback surveys in an industry-as-laboratory approach. The co-creation method is based on design thinking techniques, system oriented design and other visual tools. The sessions are facilitated to provide active participation of key stakeholders, achieved by using hands-on activities. The results imply that co-creation sessions contribute to anchor, align, and validate stakeholder needs, but do not necessarily elicit stakeholder needs. The study indicates that co-creation sessions increase customer engagement and can potentially lead to new development projects.