The research project had three overarching objectives:

  • Adaptation and documentation of a methodology for the systematic development of innovative services in the healthcare sector,
  • Application of this methodology in a cross-group network of stakeholders (and multipliers) in the healthcare system,
  • Development of innovative services for the healthcare sector.

At the methodological level, the aim was to further develop the service engineering approaches, which had previously been almost exclusively business-based. These had to be adapted to the specific requirements of a heterogeneous overall "healthcare" system.
In terms of content, the aim was to develop innovative, demand- and competition-orientated services, which should preferably be designed and offered in a cooperative manner or across stakeholder groups.
After identifying potential fields of action in the German healthcare system, ideas for innovative services were developed with the help of a think tank made up of high-calibre stakeholders. These were prioritised in several online surveys and the most attractive were offered to the project's "knowledge and experience network" for development in an "ideas market". In the end, two specific service projects were further developed by external working groups beyond the end of the project.

The IZT's work focussed on designing the website, providing scientific advice on methods - including adapting the approaches to service engineering available in the literature - and designing and moderating the "ideas market".