WP1 – Detailed analysis of the requirements of training organizations and academic institutions – O1
In this work package, workshops will be organized, both face-to-face and online, with organizations that provide non-regulated training and academic institutions that already expressed their interest in this project and those that could be incorporated from WP5 outcomes. The package also addresses the analysis of the information models of different types of certifications, including official diplomas from different European countries, certifications issued by entities that provide online training, and vocational and professional training accreditations. Use cases will be elaborated and documented to model the needs of: (i) organizations responsible for issuing certificates; (ii) individuals who are issued a certificate, accreditation, or endorsement of competencies and (iii) job seekers or entities that need to verify the validity of a certain certificate.
WP2 – Detailed Technical Design – O2, O3, O4
This work package aims to create a reference model to develop the detailed technical design of an architecture for the storage of academic information in a flexible, immutable, verifiable way that strictly complies with the regulations established in the GDPR. The results of WP1 are taken as a starting point and detailed technical design documents will be prepared that allow driving its construction in WP3.
In this work package, the technical design will be carried by the team specialized in Computer Science, which will receive advice from the team specialized in Laws to make design decisions. An iterative methodology will be used.
This work package includes the certification by an external entity of the validity of the results. The confirmation that the produced reference model and detailed technical designs are in compliance with GDPR regulations will be outsourced to an external company specialized in GPDR. A budget line is included in the budget for this purpose. Thus, despite the fact that the work team includes experts in this field, the use of an external entity for the validation of compliance with the GDPR guarantees the independence in the certification of the proposal.
Included within this WP is the realization of design proposals for different blockchain technologies, such as the Hyperledger Fabric framework, Ethereum 2.0, Polkadot, Kusama, Avalanche, Tangle or Polygon to name a few examples, which will be validated through pilot implementations during the first two months in WP3. In this way, the final design will be adapted to the technological environment deemed the most appropriate to achieve the objectives of the project.
WP3 Development of a Minimum Viable Product – O5,O6
This work package includes all the software development work required for the creation of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that allows validating the project objectives.
The first two months will be devoted to prototype implementations using different technologies in order to identify the most appropriate technological environment for the final design of the proposal. Once that environment is identified, the platform development process will begin. An agile development methodology will be applied with two-week iterations that will be internally validated within this work package by expert personnel in Computer Science. Every two months, as of M12, major releases will be delivered for validation by legal experts in WP4 from the perspective of the three main user profiles: (i) certificate issuing authorities, (ii) individuals and (iii) entities that demand the validation of certificates and competencies. The last four versions (M16, M18, M20 and M22) will address the feedback gathered in WP4. Technical validations, in the form of basic unit and functional tests, will be carried out within this WP by personnel specialized in Computer Science.
WP4 – Validation of the Minimum Viable Product – O4, O5,O6
This work package focuses on the validation of the MVP from the point of view of its potential end users. To do this, under the direction of the Laws team, the validation of the requirements established in WP1 is carried out. Validation workshops will be organized with the entities that expressed their interest in the results of the project and those gathered in WP5.
The validation of the versions produced in WP3 will focus on the issues addressed in each of the sprints within that major version. In the first place, exhaustive tests will be carried out by the research team to detect possible errors and, on the other hand, at least one validation workshop will be carried out with external entities interested in each of the major versions. Feedback reports will be returned to WP3
WP5 – Dissemination and technology transfer– O7, O8, O9
This work package focuses on three aspects: (i) involvement in the project of external certificate-issuing entities and the potential transfer of the project results to them; (ii) participation in the main international standardization initiatives in this area and (iii) dissemination in forums and scientific journals.
Within this work package, the involvement of new external entities is addressed in the first place. We intend to incorporate external entities, in addition to those already contacted during the preparation of this project, to participate in WP4 and, if possible, also in WP1. Contacts will be made both with academic entities that offer regulated training, as well as with institutions that offer lifelong training, professional training or vocational training.
On the other hand, the contribution to the SC36/AHG5 Blockchain in Education group within the ISO’s working group on standardization on learning technologies is addressed. Likewise, last November 22nd, 2021, the PI proposed at the meeting of the CEN TC353, Technical Committee on Standardization for Learning Technologies within CEN (European Committee for Standardization) the creation of an Ad Hoc Group (AHG) for the development of a technical specification of blockchain-based training certificates. There is a direct link between the research group that makes this proposal and the main international standardization initiatives.
Finally, this work package addresses scientific dissemination.