ConceptUSEM - Concept / 6 Principles
The USEM concept describes an ideal model of end-user involvement in standardization processes. It is based on six USEM principles (see navigation on the left hand side). As end-user involvement is not always ideal criteria may prove valuable to guide the assessment and to judge the fulfilment, or the degree of fulfilment of the six principles. Indicators provide means of measurement. An indicator can either be fulfiled or not fulfiled (yes or no) or, as the world isn't always black and white, can contain a degree of fulfilment.
The six USEM principles were derived from the seven principles which were identified during the project FORTUNE. FORTUNE is the acronym for "Forum of user-ORganisations Training for Usability and Networking in Europe". FORTUNE was a project funded by the European Union with the objective of developing a cencept for user participation in research and development (R&D), based on the concept of true partnership. The principles developed during the FORTUNE project aimed to bridge the gap between end users with disabilities, their organisations, and the R&D milieu.
The six USEM principles
- Principle: Partnership
- Principle: User Organisation Based
- Principle: Financing
- Principle: Accessibility
- Principle: Qualified Staff
- Principle: Sound Plan
fit within the generally accepted principles of standardization. It is noted that while some of the standardization principles are fully in line with the USEM principles, the implementation in practical cases, for example costs for participation, may nevertheless be causing a barrier for participation in standardization.
Last modification on 26.02.10