Evidence-Based Innovation Impact Research and Validation Planning
Turn expected human, environmental and resilience outcomes into testable questions and practical pilot protocols.
At a glance
- Who it is for
- Organisations of any size or sector seeking to investigate, substantiate or evaluate the impact of innovations, projects or programmes.
- Typical innovation stage
- TRL 2–6
- Format
- Individualised · 3–6 weeks
- Expert time
- 4–10 expert working days
- Delivery
- Primarily online, English; other formats agreed at scoping
- Fees
- Fixed-fee packages; quotation provided after scoping. Preferential terms for publicly funded innovation projects.
- Delivery team
- Led by the ASBL’s research lead, with specialist input in research design and impact evaluation arranged according to the agreed scope. Relevant expert profiles shared on request.
What evidence should we generate, and how should we test the expected impact?
Turn expected human, environmental and resilience outcomes into testable questions. Connect the innovation hypothesis and existing research with suitable baselines, indicators and a feasible evidence-collection plan.
For consortium projects, a shared scoping session with the coordinator and relevant work-package leads clarifies partner responsibilities, data access and review points. The protocol fits agreed project deliverables, pilot plans, milestone reviews and subsequent technology-transfer decisions.
Turn impact claims into questions your pilot can test.
- 01
Frame the claim.
Specify the innovation, intended beneficiaries, outcome hypothesis, decision and existing evidence.
- 02
Coordinate the research team.
For consortium projects, agree the coordinator, relevant work-package leads, evidence owners, data permissions and review responsibilities.
- 03
Design the validation.
Develop baselines or comparators where feasible, indicators, methods, uncertainty treatment and ethical or data-governance considerations.
- 04
Integrate the plan.
Map the protocol to pilot activities, agreed deliverables and milestone or interim reviews.
A validation plan your research team can implement.
Bring research questions, baselines, indicators, methods and responsibilities into a plan that fits your pilot and project reviews.
- 01Evidence landscape and research-question brief
- 02Proposed indicator framework with measurement definitions
- 03Pilot research and validation protocol
- 04Responsibilities, data-access needs and deliverable / review integration plan
Illustrative validation-protocol excerpt
Illustrative output — not a client case study.
On smaller screens, scroll the table horizontally to read all columns.
| Research element | Proposed approach |
|---|---|
| Hypothesis | Test whether an AI-assisted building-energy controller reduces energy demand without worsening occupant comfort |
| Baseline and comparison | Agree a baseline period and a feasible comparison, accounting for weather, occupancy and other material differences |
| Evidence | Metered energy, agreed comfort measures, system-operation logs and voluntary, proportionate user feedback |
| Responsibilities | Coordinator confirms scope; technical work-package lead owns operational data; a designated impact lead reviews outcome evidence |
| Review rule | Record adverse effects and uncertainty; do not infer successful impact solely from a technically functioning prototype |
Sample deliverables and the proposed approach can be discussed during scoping.
Plan your research and validation work.
Agree the research question, data access, confidentiality and partner responsibilities before work begins. Working sessions align the proposed protocol with the project’s pilot plans and review points. Fieldwork and additional specialist inputs require a separately agreed scope.
Research design and evidence-planning support. Primary studies, laboratory testing, regulated assessments, research-ethics approvals and specialist services are not included unless explicitly agreed. No research or funding outcome is guaranteed.
Service provider: Sustainable Intelligence ASBL, Belgium.
What to prepare
- The innovation, pilot or programme and the impact you want to show.
- The audiences for the evidence: investors, customers, funders or public bodies.
- Existing data, pilot plans and any earlier studies.
- Partner roles, data access and confidentiality arrangements.
Questions
Is the workshop scheduled?
Not yet. Join the interest list and we will contact you when dates are set.
Does the service include fieldwork?
No. Fieldwork and specialist inputs require a separately agreed scope.
Does using this service influence an assessment or rating?
Using this service does not influence the outcome of any assessment or rating.