MeteoSwiss CHAPo: pollen information needs analysis

Abstract

There is a network of pollen measurement devices in 14 stations throughout Switzerland. To date, the standard of pollen identification and measurement has been done manually with calculations and models providing forecasts with a six day delay. This standard is not serving the allergic public, the doctors and scientists specializing in pollen research any longer. A laser technology measurement device has successfully been tested in the regional center of MeteoSwiss in Payerne. It opens up new perspectives in terms of automation, real-time transmission and higher data quality. The technology is not only applicable to pollen measurement, but also enables partnerships to be strengthened in the areas of air quality and health effects. Based on this technology, MeteoSwiss can provide new, more valuable data products and services. With these new possibilities, two questions arise which are explored in this research report: Q1) What data products and services best serve the allergic public and doctors? Q2) Within which channels should these products be offered? MeteoSwiss has invited the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland's (FHNW) School of Business to conduct a needs analysis of the two above-mentioned target groups. The needs analysis was carried out using a customer insights research-based method called “Jobs to Be Done” (JtbD) originally from Harvard University (Christensen 1997). The FHNW researchers extrapolated those jobs or tasks that were important to the target groups but not satisfied in the market. Upon isolating these “jobs”, MeteoSwiss experts from the CHAPo project and aha! were invited to design workshops at the FHNW to create a rough prototype of data products based on the research outcomes.