The Value of Scenario-Based Design: Using Pandemic Decision-Making Scenarios in the Context of the Continuity of Operations Data Analysis (CODA) Project

Continuity of operations planning focuses on an organization’s ability to deliver essential services before, during and after an emergency. During an emergency, public health leaders must make decisions based on information from many sources. However, emergency decision support technologies, and the requirements to develop such technologies, remain under-deployed and under-explored within the public health domain. To address this gap, researchers at the University of Washington’s Center for Public Health Informatics, in collaboration with business continuity planners at Public Health - Seattle & King County, are developing the Continuity of Operations Data Analysis (CODA) system. CODA is a pilot geographical information system that builds on previous public health continuity of operations research to facilitate communications and decision-making. Formative evaluation of the CODA system is being informed by selected pandemic decision-making scenarios of use from PHARAOH, an early stage public health continuity of operations information framework. These scenarios of use have been validated as reliable, useful and acceptable by professional public health business continuity planners. Methods of development for scenarios of use will be highlighted, demonstrating the value of scenario-based design to the future of public health informatics and public health information systems projects.