Problem SolvingAvancé

Living Lab

A real-world testing environment where new solutions, services, or processes are tested with real users in their natural context, rather than in controlled lab settings. Originating in European innovation policy, Living Labs co-create and validate solutions with end users as active participants rather than passive test subjects. The 'lab' is life itself.

Durée

1h–8h

Taille du groupe

3–30 people

Matériel

depends on experiment context, observation protocol, feedback collection tools

Source

Community

Comment l'animer

1
Define the solution or hypothesis to test.
2
Identify a 'living' context: a real workplace, community, or environment where the solution will be deployed.
3
Co-design the experiment with participants from that context: they shape how the test runs.
4
Deploy the solution in the real environment with real stakes — not a simulation.
5
Observe, document, and collect feedback systematically during the test period.
6
Debrief with participants: what worked? What didn't? What would they change?
7
Iterate based on real-world learnings.

Conseils

The key distinction from a lab test is authenticity — real context, real stakes, real users making real decisions.
The best Living Labs have participants who care about the outcome of the experiment, not just paid testers.',

Variantes

Run a 'pop-up' Living Lab: a temporary real-world installation that tests a service or product in situ. Use for policy prototyping: test a new regulation or process change with a small community before rolling out.

Contextes d'utilisation

Urban and social innovationService designPolicy prototypingProduct development in complex contexts

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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices.