Technology only becomes useful when it is clear why people use it
An application can work well from a technical point of view and still remain unused. On the farm, in the greenhouse or in the barn, users do not only look at functionality. They also consider whether the technology is easy to understand, whether they trust it, what it costs, what risks it brings and whether it fits into the work that already needs to be done. That is why a User Acceptance Testing method has been developed within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood. This method helps to identify, at an early stage and in a structured way, what farmers, growers, advisers and supply chain partners need before an innovation can become part of daily practice.
Broad knowledge question
Practice determines whether technology is logical enough to use
Many agrifood innovations start with a clear technical promise. The real test begins when someone has to use the technology during a busy working day, for example when assessing a field, monitoring animal health or planning cultivation activities. That is when questions arise that are not always visible during the development phase. Is the application easy to understand, can the outcome be trusted and do the effort and costs match what it delivers?
The broader knowledge question behind the UAT method is how stakeholders experience new agrifood technology, which factors support or limit adoption, and how developers and companies can better align their innovations with the needs, perceptions and daily practice of users.
Approach
A fixed test shows where acceptance starts or gets stuck
The User Acceptance Test is based on more than twenty scientific publications. The method looks at factors that play a role beforehand, such as attitude, intention and willingness to try something new. It then assesses user experiences, including ease of use, functionality, trust and perceived risk.
The expected longer-term effects are also included, such as productivity, economic impact, sustainability and attitudes towards the technology. This creates a connected picture of what users see, understand and weigh up when they assess a new application.
Goal
Developers can make better choices when they know what holds users back
The goal of the UAT method is to map user acceptance and adoption behaviour in a structured way. This helps technology developers, practice partners and policymakers determine what needs attention first, such as explanation, support, privacy agreements, infrastructure, costs or alignment with existing ways of working.
Within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, this method fits with improving. Not by only finding out afterwards that use is lagging behind, but by exploring earlier what users need in order to trust and apply a solution.
Result and reflection
Acceptance becomes more concrete when trust, costs and ways of working are considered together
The UAT method identifies factors that can support or slow down acceptance. These include trust, ease of use, financial feasibility, visibility of results, support and alignment with existing ways of working. At the same time, it makes barriers easier to discuss, such as complexity, perceived risk, data privacy, costs and ethical concerns.
Successful outcomes:
The method brings technical performance and user experience together in one assessment.
Developers gain earlier insight into practical concerns that may slow down implementation.
Practice partners and policymakers can better assess what kind of support is needed.
Lessons learned:
A working technology is not yet an accepted technology.
Costs, privacy, risks and daily routines matter at every moment of use.
Acceptance requires testing with the people who are expected to use the solution.