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So, You Want to Build a Decision-Support Tool? Assessing Successes, Barriers, and Lessons Learned for Tool Design and Development

Scientific Investigations Report 2023-5076
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235076

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of how the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is developing decision-support tools (DSTs) by documenting successes and barriers across all levels of USGS scientific tool creation and outreach. These findings will help streamline future tool design and development processes. We provide a synthesis of lessons learned and best practices across a spectrum of USGS decision-support efforts to, A, provide guidance to future efforts and, B, identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for knowledge transfer and integration. We present this information as five guiding principles for those striving to create effective DSTs. These principles are: (1) use an adaptive, iterative design process, (2) collaborate across disciplines and organizations, (3) engage with the target users of the tool, (4) develop an empirical understanding of use and usability, and (5) plan for the tool’s full life span. By providing guidance on how effective DSTs are realized at every phase of development (from planning to maintenance), these principles provide a starting point to improve the process of designing DSTs and thus help further the USGS mission of delivering actionable science.

Suggested Citation

Stoltz, A.D., Cravens, A.E., Herman-Mercer, N.M., and Hou, C.Y., 2023, So, you want to build a decision-support tool? Assessing successes, barriers, and lessons learned for tool design and development: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5076, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235076.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Research Objectives and Methods
  • Decision Support and Decision-Support Products at USGS
  • Five Key Principles of Designing Effective Decision Support
  • What Resources Do Interviewees Say They Need?
  • Conclusion
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Decision-Support Tool Survey
  • Appendix 2. USGS Decision-Support Tools Identified by Survey Respondents
  • Appendix 3. Interview Protocol
  • Appendix 4. Codebook
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title So, you want to build a decision-support tool? Assessing successes, barriers, and lessons learned for tool design and development
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2023-5076
DOI 10.3133/sir20235076
Publication Date September 12, 2023
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center, WMA - Integrated Information Dissemination Division
Description Report: vi, 32 p.; 1 Appendix
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details