Bruna Diirr, Vânia de Oliveira Neves, Marcus Vinícius Vasconcelos de Almeida Cunha, Ana Beatriz Kapps dos Reis, & Jairo Francisco de Souza. (2021). Software Requirements for Disaster Management Systems. In Anouck Adrot, Rob Grace, Kathleen Moore, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2021 Conference Proceedings – 18th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 1042–1054). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: Disasters are a major global problem and a serious threat to sustainable development. In this context, the development of disaster management systems becomes a complex activity, both due to the unpredictability of the events to be treated and the difficulty in extracting or identifying these systems users' needs (requirements). This study aims to understand the requirements usually elicited for disaster management systems and how such requirements are identified. Thus, a systematic mapping of literature (SM) and an open-source repository mining (RM) were performed. Results bring benefits both to academics and practitioners, as detail several characteristics of disaster management systems that could assist these systems development and decision-making, besides providing inputs to guide further research.
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Kristine Steen-Tveit. (2020). Identifying Information Requirements for Improving the Common Operational Picture in Multi-Agency Operations. In Amanda Hughes, Fiona McNeill, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2020 Conference Proceedings – 17th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 252–263). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: While there exists a considerable body of literature on the importance of a common operational picture (COP) in multi-agency emergency operations, the COP concept itself still lacks a univocal definition. Despite the lack of consensus regarding the mechanisms underlying the COP, the literature implies a level of consistency in the focus on sharing critical information. Based on interviews with Norwegian emergency management stakeholders, this study investigates common information requirements for emergency management services and presents an example of a framework for structuring the sharing of critical information and building a COP. Termed 'the window report', this framework is used among emergency stakeholders in Norway and Sweden. The study identified eight common information requirement categories for managing extreme weather scenarios. With a focus on common information needs and a process for structured information sharing, future strategic emergency management planning might take a more holistic perspective on cross-sectoral operations than in current practice.
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Vittorio Nespeca, Kenny Meesters, & Tina Comes. (2018). Evaluating Platforms for Community Sense-making: Using the Case of the Kenyan Elections. In Kees Boersma, & Brian Tomaszeski (Eds.), ISCRAM 2018 Conference Proceedings – 15th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 924–934). Rochester, NY (USA): Rochester Institute of Technology.
Abstract: The profusion of information technology has created new possibilities for local communities to self-organize and respond to disruptive events. Along with the opportunities, there is also a series of challenges that need to be addressed in order to improve societal resilience. One of these challenges is to make sense of the continuous stream of information to create a coherent understanding and improve coordination. The research presented in this paper focuses on the socio-technical requirements of IT platforms that support sense-making and coordination. Using a comprehensive evaluation exercise based on real data from the 2017 Kenyan elections, we examine the development, workflows and use of this shared situational awareness in a group decision making process. In this manner, we identify requirements for resilience platforms and identify further research directions.
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Philipp Schwarz, Yan Wang, Stephan Lukosch, & Heide Lukosch. (2017). Policy Gaming for Humanitarian Missions. In eds Aurélie Montarnal Matthieu Lauras Chihab Hanachi F. B. Tina Comes (Ed.), Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response And Management (pp. 814–823). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: Aid workers increasingly face risks when working in crisis regions. In order to improve effectiveness and safety of humanitarians, it is of great importance to provide a well thought out real-time socio-technical support. Thus, new policies and innovative technological solutions need to be developed and integrated into humanitarian workflows. For the requirements elicitation process to realize this aspiration, we employ a board game approach that confronts players with situations aid workers experience in the field. From the first game session, we learned that the game is a valuable tool. It raises awareness to important challenges and trade-offs that humanitarians face. In addition, it is an effective catalyst for initiating a discussion on which system requirements are needed. Future work will include an update of the board game as well as sessions with the target group of practitioners to inform the development of a socio-technical system for humanitarian aid work.
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Marc van den Homberg, Jannis Visser, & Maarten van der Veen. (2017). Unpacking Data Preparedness from a humanitarian prioritization perspective: towards an assessment framework at subnational level (eds Aurélie Montarnal Matthieu Lauras Chihab Hanachi F. B. Tina Comes, Ed.). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: All too often the collection as well as analysis of data for humanitarian response only starts once a disaster hits. This paper proposes a framework to assess Data Preparedness on five dimensions: Data Sets, Data Services and Tooling, Data Governance, Data Literacy, and Networked Organizations for Data. We demonstrate for one dimension, i.e. Data Sets, how it can be quantified. First step is to determine which Data Sets must be collected before a disaster strikes so that as many as possible decision-makers' information needs are covered. Subsequently, a Data Sets Preparedness Index can be calculated based on Completeness, Recency and Accuracy & Reliability. We tested the index for Malawi and The Philippines and show how it can be used to direct data collection and determine when data analysis for e.g. predicting severity becomes meaningful. The index can be modified for reporting on global policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
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