Elaborating the WARE method for eParticipation requirements

Abstract

eParticipation systems are often directly targeted at citizens. However, as a group of potential users, citizens form a heterogeneous and unpredictable group, which makes requirements elicitation a challenging issue. Based on recently developed ideas for wide audience requirement engineering (WARE), this chapter discusses and elaborates a method for eliciting citizen requirements for eParticipation. The method elaboration was conducted in connection with a project in southern Norway, where young people’s requirements for becoming active e-participants in society were mapped. Based on these experiences, we discuss the use and usefulness of the WARE method and suggest ideas on how to further develop the WARE method for eParticipation purposes.