Product Validation in Target Environment
This service offers product validation in the target environment for SMEs and start-ups with a high TRL (Close2Market).
Real-World Product Testing for Smarter Health Care Innovations
- Cut-off-Date #1 from 16.09.2025
- Cut-off-Date #2 from 01.03.2026
Developers of innovative new health care products can request a product testing under realistic conditions or in its actual usage environment to ensure it meets specific requirements and functions as expected. The goal is to identify potential issues early, allowing for optimization before market launch or entry.
A partner organization of experts conducts the validation under a standardized protocol in various settings (e.g. private households, nursing homes, artificial labs). The target environment for testing depends on the subsequent use of the product. Products for nursing homes should ideally be tested in nursing homes, household products in private households, etc. this can be done either in real conditions or in a simulation environment – preferably involving the actual target users such as older people or care staff.
The test process will be divided in four steps:
Test planning
As a first step, principal needs and expectations of the client will be agreed upon. Test scenarios, key performance indicators and procedures will be defined, including functional and usability tests. Depending on the research questions to be asked, standard tools and questionnaires will be applied including but not limited to:
- Willingness to pay
- User experience
- Market fit assessment
- Clinical indicators related to the intended purpose of the product
Execution of tests
In a second step, the product will be tested in real-world conditions, with methods like feedback loops and real-life case studies.
Analysis of results
In a third step, the results from the tests will be evaluated to see whether the product meets requirements and performs well in real conditions.
Analysis of results
In a last step, the project partner will provide feedback and prepare a validation report documenting the tests and results.
Novelties
New to methodology
A 4-step approach including standard operating procedures to ensure equal level of testing quality and comparable outcomes. Standardizing the process is a challenge, as the products and services to be tested can vary greatly. A standardized protocol for all scenarios is therefore not feasible. Nevertheless, the process should follow certain rules and standards.
New to sector
Product evaluations and validations have been done within health care and research institutions. However, companies with limited financial resources such as SME´s often struggle to find testing partners who are willing to test their products, especially those meant for the nursing sectors (such as nursing homes) as those potential partners struggle with the lack of R&D resources themselves. Also, such product validation services for the intended scope (senior care and remote care) and in the intended setting (nursing homes, private households) have not yet been offered on the free market to SME´s.
