Development of Decision Support Tools

In parallel to the case study research the London team has been working on developing a prototype ‘decision support tool’ (DST, click here to view it). The concept of a decision support was initially discussed at the Sri Lanka workshop. The common perception of DSTs is of data- or model-driven computer programmes where data is inputted and a solution derived. There are many examples but they are notoriously difficult to apply in real world decision making processes due to their inherent inflexibility. Instead we are interested in a new generation of knowledge- or document-driven DSTs. These are not the kind of systems that give you an answer but rather help you come to an answer by drawing on existing information and experience from elsewhere.

The key objective of SecureWater is to support decision-making processes at different levels by highlighting issues and challenges and identifying possible approaches to dealing with them. It was agreed that such a DST would need to be relatively simple and user-friendly. It would also probably need to be html-based allowing use of multi-media, rich in worked case study examples, ‘data-lite’, and flexible and adaptable rather than prescriptive. While the main focus will be on DRA planning and implementation processes the DST should be understandable (and potentially useful) at all levels from policy makers down to communities. As such it needs to be developed iteratively and piloted and tested by end-users at an early stage.

A prototype SecureWater DST was subsequently developed and presented to research partners for discussion during the India workshop. The emerging DST has been designed specifically to enable participatory content development and virtual networking among researchers and practitioners. It makes use of Linux-based software which has been used for numerous web-based applications designed to facilitate information exchange among specific user communities. The basic functionality of the prototype was demonstrated to research partners in Hyderabad and is currently being modified on the basis of feedback to maximise usability and accessibility for developing country partners.

The DST will ultimately be web-based to maximise user-participation in content development. Editing rights will initially be restricted to the project team but eventually extended to all users once the basic structure is finalised. CD versions will also be produced periodically for distribution to those without web access.