Toolkit

Best Practices for Decision Support Tools

Decision Support Tools
Best Practices
Design Guidelines

A guidance document to improve the design and development of decision support tools (DSTs) within our organisation.

Screenshots of Micronutrient Action Policy Support (MAPS) tool

Overview

This guidance document aims to enhance the design and development of decision support tools (DSTs) at our organisation.

Image Wirefreame for common layouts of decision support tools

We created this document to share best practices and address common challenges in user research, development, engagement, and the integration of scientific knowledge, empowering the creation of effective DSTs that maximise their impact.

Methods and Tools Used

Decision support tools are most effective when they truly meet the needs of users. This project focuses on building better DSTs by understanding the challenges faced by both developers and users of these tools. We’ve distilled experiences from past projects into practical guidance, making it easier to create DSTs that are intuitive, relevant, and have a lasting positive impact on decision-making processes.

We employed a mixed-methods approach to create this guidance. A comprehensive questionnaire provided qualitative insights from product owners of decision support tools. Additionally, we conducted direct observations of user interactions with a selection of tools. This combined approach offered a nuanced understanding of both developer experiences and the perspectives of end-users, helping us create well-rounded recommendations.

Image Screenshot from the brochure created for this best practice documentation

Lessons Learned

  1. The Importance of Collaboration: Effective DSTs rarely emerge from siloed work. Strong collaboration between developers, designers, scientists, and end-users is essential throughout the entire project lifecycle. Clear communication, well-defined roles, and mutual respect promote innovative solutions that genuinely meet user needs.
  2. Iterative Development is Key: Building flexibility into the development process is crucial. User feedback, new scientific insights, and changing requirements may necessitate adjustments. Adopting an agile, iterative approach that includes prototype testing and user feedback loops minimises the risk of building something that quickly becomes outdated or irrelevant.
  3. Balancing Scientific Rigour with Usability: The most impactful decision support tools strike a balance between scientific accuracy and usability. Consider ways to communicate complex information clearly and simply, using visualisations, examples, and plain language explanations. Working with UX specialists can prove invaluable in this realm.
  4. The Power of User-Centered Design: Many successful projects emphasised the importance of early and continuous user engagement. Understanding the target audience’s needs, workflows, and technical capabilities is essential. Investing time in user research upfront prevents creating tools that don’t align with real-world use cases or that are too complex to be adopted.

Image Screenshot from the brochure