A Preliminary Study of Proof of Concept Practices and their Connection with Information Systems and Information Science

Abstract

In this study, we have identified that a Proof of Concept can be characterized as a research practice and instrument of knowledge creation, based on a set of activities that are applied to the study and understanding of certain objects by the actors involved. In Information Systems Development, we have characterized a Proof of Concept as a system that creates sociotechnical phenomena and, with the aim of understanding these phenomena, we use the Context Engineering approach. Context Engineering represents the relationship between a set of essential movements in a new framework of activities of Information Systems Development. Furthermore, we highlight Information Science, which allows us to study in formal and rigorous ways the processes, techniques, conditions, and effects that are entailed in improving the efficacy of information, which is used for a range of purposes related to individual, social and organizational needs, as well as new methods of scientific communication. To our knowledge, and following a review of the literature, there is a lack of studies combined with gaps in the knowledge of Proof of Concept practices. The misunderstanding of these practices may strengthen the probability of compromising the reliability, reproducibility, and reusability of the knowledge consumed or constructed in a Proof of Concept, which may affect its appropriate utilization by the organizations, their actors, or communities of practice. In this context, this paper aims to promote a preliminary study of the state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and to contribute to the body of published literature on Proof of Concept practices.

Becoming Certain About the Uncertain: How AI Changes Proof-of-Concept Activities in Manufacturing – Insights from a Global Automotive Leader

“…Neto et al [24] revealed that PoC practices are largely under-researched in scientific literature. PoCs are means to demonstrate that a potential solution is functionally feasible [25].…”

“…From a different angle, PoC activities aim to broaden problem understanding and provide space for scientific activities to create new knowledge that informs further design decisions, hence contribute to the future feasibility of a solution [25]. In this paper, we adopt the definition proposed by Neto et al [24] and define a PoC as "an activity system […] in a socio-technical context, with the purpose of evaluation, understanding, validation and exploration, and with the aim of learning about technological artifacts and their phenomena under study by organizations and PoC practitioners" (p. 2).…”

Flow of knowledge in proof-of-concept activities : examining the problem of interpretation using hermeneutics

“…We understand to a certain extent that reusability is desirable, not as an absolute and unquestionable truth in any context, but as a contributed experience for practitioners in the context of PoC to "reflect on" a past and try to understand if past experiences can be "connected" in the current knowledge flow in the PoC activity. In other words, a simple change in the context of PoC, for example, a different parameterization in the software tool for the I/O simulation or the average response time calculated for read and write operations, could provoke a change in the composition of the final results and increase the probability of the domino effect in the context of the PoC (Neto et al, 2018). Because those "results live Table 5.…”

“…Corbett (2000, p. 292) highlighted the problems of interpretation, which inevitably arise in the process of design and use. Thus, we examine how the formation of the flow of knowledge occurs, which can influence organizational memory and organization members, with possible knock-on or domino effects (Neto et al, 2018). In other words, we reflect on whether the absence of knowledge in the development and execution of PoC by its practitioners can be based on attributions of meanings, that is, from a pre-understanding regarding the unveiling of reality (original world versus the PoC world) that confronts them.…”

Practical Guide for Designing Activities that Integrate Curricular Content, Computational Thinking and Constructionist Theory

“…Section 2 describes the theoretical foundation and design methodology of the guide, as well as its components. Section 3 proposes a method for its use and in Section 4 the execution of a proof of concept [Neto et al 2018] is detailed. Final considerations are outlined in Section 5.…”