Toward a standardized methodology for constructing quantum computing use cases

TL;DR

This paper introduces a standardized methodology with specific questions to evaluate the suitability of quantum computing for various applications, aiming to promote fair and objective assessments.

Contribution

It presents a novel standardized set of questions for developing and evaluating quantum computing use cases, demonstrated through an ambulance dispatch example.

Findings

Quantum computing can be sensibly applied to ambulance dispatch

Certain use cases are not suitable for near-term quantum computing

The methodology facilitates objective evaluation of quantum use cases

Abstract

We propose a standardized methodology for developing and evaluating use cases for quantum computers and quantum inspired methods. This methodology consists of a standardized set of questions which should be asked to determine how and indeed if, near term quantum computing can play a role in a given application. Developing such a set of questions is important because it allows different use cases to be evaluated in a fair and objective way, rather than considering each case on an ad hoc basis which could lead to an evaluation which focuses on positives of a use case, while ignoring weaknesses. To demonstrate our methodology we apply it to a concrete use case, ambulance dispatch, and find that there are some ways in which near term quantum computing could be deployed sensibly, but also demonstrate some cases ways in which its use would not be advised. The purpose of this paper is to initiate a dialogue within the community of quantum computing scientists and potential end users on what questions should be asked when developing real world use cases.