Abstract:

This study examines the usefulness of user involvement in the development of an Internet-based
greenhouse gas emission monitoring and feedback service for households. The demonstration version of the service was developed and tested in a user pilot. Traditional involvement methods such as the trial of the demonstration service, online survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and an online discussion forum were used to acquire user feedback. The study showed that user involvement benefited the service development process in many ways. The original, expert-driven development  process expanded in a more user-oriented direction, when the needs and expectations of possible future users were taken into account. The users gave experience-based feedback on the benefits, problems, effects and acceptability of the service. They also made numerous suggestions for the further development of the demonstration service. The study provided promising findings on the service’s potential to achieve the objectives set for it, and encouraged the development team to further develop the demonstration version into a commercial service.