Involving stakeholders in agricultural decision support systems: improving user-centred design

TY - JOUR

T1 - Involving stakeholders in agricultural decision support systems: improving user-centred design

AU - Rose, David C.

AU - Parker, Caroline

AU - Fodey, Joe

AU - Park, Caroline

AU - Sutherland, William

AU - Dicks, Lynn

N1 - Requested acceptance and AAM 19/2/18 ET ^Acceptance date from Cambridge repository (https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/278048?show=full) ^^AAM obtained from UEA repository (link also added) ET 27/6/19 Query to UEA repository re access date. ET 29/10/19 Deposit date taken from UEA metadata (screenshot in SAN) ^UEA confirmed embargo ended 1/1/19 (email in SAN). ET 30/10/19

PY - 2018/1/1

Y1 - 2018/1/1

N2 - Decision Support Systems (DSS) can improve farm management decisions and offer the opportunity to improve productivity and limit environmental degradation, both key tenets of the sustainable intensification of agriculture. While DSS are becoming increasingly useful for agriculture, the uptake of computer-based support systems by farmers has remained disappointingly low as evidenced by studies spanning at least two decades. This paper explores the reasons behind this continued lack of interest. Is it, as previous researchers have proposed, the lack of user involvement in the design and development of these systems? If so why should this be the case given decades of evidence underlining the value in user centred design (UCD)? The paper reviews literature on the desirable characteristics of DSS, and then uses 78 interviews and five focus groups to explore a case study of system use. The paper suggests that without changes to how systems are developed, particularly in how users are consulted, use of this technology will continue to be low. Practical suggestions are proposed to encourage more effective user-centred design. Chief amongst these, the need for designers to undertake a ‘decision support context assessment’ before building and launching a product is highlighted. Better knowledge of user-centred design practices, a clear understanding of advice systems, and greater collaboration with human-computer interaction researchers are also required.

AB - Decision Support Systems (DSS) can improve farm management decisions and offer the opportunity to improve productivity and limit environmental degradation, both key tenets of the sustainable intensification of agriculture. While DSS are becoming increasingly useful for agriculture, the uptake of computer-based support systems by farmers has remained disappointingly low as evidenced by studies spanning at least two decades. This paper explores the reasons behind this continued lack of interest. Is it, as previous researchers have proposed, the lack of user involvement in the design and development of these systems? If so why should this be the case given decades of evidence underlining the value in user centred design (UCD)? The paper reviews literature on the desirable characteristics of DSS, and then uses 78 interviews and five focus groups to explore a case study of system use. The paper suggests that without changes to how systems are developed, particularly in how users are consulted, use of this technology will continue to be low. Practical suggestions are proposed to encourage more effective user-centred design. Chief amongst these, the need for designers to undertake a ‘decision support context assessment’ before building and launching a product is highlighted. Better knowledge of user-centred design practices, a clear understanding of advice systems, and greater collaboration with human-computer interaction researchers are also required.

KW - decision context assessment; decision support systems; decision support tools; participatory research; stakeholder engagement; technology use; user-centred design

U2 - 10.5836/ijam/2017-06-80

DO - 10.5836/ijam/2017-06-80

M3 - Article

VL - 6

SP - 80

EP - 89

IS - 3-4

ER -