The two-day study visit in Kortrijk was a vibrant exploration into tackling data management challenges faced by various stakeholders within our SIXFOLD partner projects. Set in the innovative environment of Kortrijk's Living Labs, the visit was framed through the powerful lens of a Design Sprint methodology.
The Design Sprint, known for its effectiveness in rapidly prototyping and validating ideas, was particularly suited to this visit. It enabled diverse stakeholders—ranging from SMEs, technology providers, and living labs—to quickly identify barriers, collaborate intensively, and generate actionable solutions within a short timeframe.
Day 1 began with an immersive experience at the Living Labs, specifically at VEG-i-TEC, Sirris, and Flanders Make. VEG-i-TEC specializes in sustainable food processing technologies and serves as a demonstration facility for food SMEs. Sirris provides expertise in technological innovation and industrial digitization, while Flanders Make focuses on smart manufacturing and product development. These visits set the stage by exposing participants to real-world challenges in data management. Participants quickly engaged in structured problem-solving, identifying challenges using the "5 Whys" method, prioritizing them via the "Impact-Effort" framework, and framing these problems into clear, solution-oriented "How Might We" questions. This facilitated focused brainstorming, empowering groups to collaboratively develop innovative ideas.
On Day 2, participants deepened their analyses using problem-solution canvases, refining their prototypes and aligning actionable next steps through a commitment circle exercise. Key topics included developing digitalization strategies tailored for food technology SMEs, creating effective roadmaps for data-sharing (DAAS), and translating data into actionable insights.
Key results of the workshop included:
- Digitalization Strategies for SMEs: Concrete actions were proposed to prepare SMEs for upcoming regulatory requirements, supported by practical tools such as digital scans. The importance of human-centered approaches and clear communication to build trust and inspire SMEs was emphasized.
- Roadmap for Data-sharing and DAAS: Participants outlined clear, incremental steps to facilitate data sharing. Recommendations included starting small to reduce barriers, leveraging test-before-invest strategies, and incorporating data-sharing as an additional layer within existing living lab frameworks.
- Actionable Information from Data: Effective methods to convert data into actionable insights were explored, including suggestions for standardized data formats and practical visualization tools. The feasibility of open datasets and the challenges related to metadata were discussed.
Feedback highlighted significant insights such as the necessity of involving diverse stakeholders, clearly communicating benefits of digitalization, and fostering trust within data-sharing environments. Concrete ideas emerged, like implementing initial low-threshold digital scans for SMEs, enhancing education in Living Labs, and prioritizing step-by-step approaches to digital innovation.
Ultimately, the Kortrijk study visit not only facilitated meaningful interactions and networking opportunities but also provided tangible solutions and insights, leaving participants inspired and equipped to apply these learnings in their respective contexts. The approach of the Design Sprint proved instrumental, demonstrating its value in swiftly navigating complex challenges and catalyzing collective creativity.