Communicate environmental science and management with user-centred interactive design to empower data-driven decision-making

Abstract

We are drowning in data. Much of the data we collect never sees the light of day or is delivered in forms that are hard to access and interpret for decision-makers. The data we use to inform decision-making and reporting is often held close by scientists and data curators, and only delivered to decision-makers in highly curated formats. These formats fail to engage decision-makers because they don’t allow for data to be explored in the context of the information required to make their decisions.

We take data that is ordinarily hidden in detailed reports, or languishing in files on data portals, and make it accessible to a wider audience by creating interactive data visualisations and dashboards that communicate environmental science and management outputs and outcomes. Taking a user-centred design approach, that engages decision-makers throughout the design process allows us to fully understand what information is most important to various audiences and design accordingly.

We have found that by liberating obfuscated data and delivering it through interactive web applications designed and developed with the user at front of mind, decision-makers are empowered to explore data and engage in effective adaptive management.

Too much great work in environmental management goes unseen by decision-makers, thus limiting their capacity to continue to be advocates for the science and management actions that drive our sector. Communicating data through user-centred interactive design makes it more accessible and empowers environmental managers to make more informed decisions.