Analysing and Understanding Audiences: Clarifications from 1 to 1 sessions
Updated 3 May 2023
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1. Analysing and Understanding Audiences Clarifications
Q. Can I work with organisations outside of the United Kingdom?
A. Yes, but there are restrictions on the location of organisations. Proposals should must consider the risks of working with overseas partners and of UK legislation, e.g. potential impact of sanctions regulations and the Export Control Order 2008.
Q. Are there any preferred Audience segmentation methods?
A. No, we are not being prescriptive about audience segmentation methods or attributes. If you have an idea you think would be of use to defence and security we would be interested.
Q. Are you interested in differentiating between botnet and human activity?
A. Yes, that analysis would be of interest.
Q. Is segmenting using multiple language assessment of interest?
A. Yes
Q. What is meant by “Narrative?”
A. The narrative is a story held at high level. This may or may not be published. For this competition we are interested in the narrative and how it is understood by the different audiences. We would also be interested in techniques that can identify an individual’s personal narrative and the effect that has on the whole audience.
Q. Do proposals have to be technology based?
A. No, the Technology mentioned in the competition document is a generalised term and can also refer to innovative processes etc.
Q. Are there any legality or regulation constraints?
A. In this competition we are interested in solutions that can show utility. It is not intended to use the proposed solutions in a real world environment without further investigation. Eventual use of the tools, techniques and methods in areas outside of the UK is not excluded.
We encourage innovators to give some insights on where they think legal and regulatory issues may impact on their solution, if applicable.
Q. Is the desired output to inform communications or to assist planning of military actions?
A. The desired output is to assist planning of military actions. This may include informing the associated communications.
Q. Can Charities bid into the competition?
A. Yes.
Q. Is this competition part of the Command and Control in the Information Age?
A. This competition is not part of that activity.
Q. What deliverables would be expected?
A. The deliverables should be appropriate to the proposal. The aim is to develop innovative tools, techniques and methods, moving towards proof of concepts. Each milestone deliverable should be measurable and demonstrate progress through the project. Each proposal must include a final report which may be supplemented with, for example, videos, demonstrators, software or algorithms.
Q. Does data we use have to be procured from 3rd parties?
A. That is up to you. If you feel you would require other data then you should explain the reasons clearly in your proposal and consider the risks should that information not be available.
Q. Does the solution have to be accessible on a specific system?
A. There is no end environment in mind. We are interested to see the scope of tools and techniques available possible.
Q. Is the Information Environment Assessment for digital information only?
A. No. We are interested in all information sources
Q. Can we use technology already developed for public spaces in this competition?
A. We are not seeking off the shelf solutions but if you can demonstrate how your technology offers something new to defence and security we would be interested.
Q. Is an analysis of distribution of information through a network within scope for the competition?
A. Yes. See the example of Network analysis in section 13.2. You should explain how your analysis of network traffic leads to an understanding of the audience.
Q. Is analysis of the physical environment containing an audience of interest?
A. Yes. We are open to any new tools, techniques and methods that may provide benefit. You should include a discussion of the technical and physical challenges and particularly how this may apply to large areas. An audience is not necessarily contained within a single area.
Q. From the listed challenge areas are any of particular interest more than others?
A. No. we are interested in all areas.
Q. Are there any additional information sources that may be beneficial?
A. There are several publications available on the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence site.