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 socio-technical 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.