Christine Kershaw

Integrating decision support tools into natural resource management investment planning processes

The primary aim of Christine’ research is to improve the understanding of decision making processes within regional NRM organisations and to explain why investment decision support tools have not been more widely adopted.

This project will be conducted in three stages:

• Stage 1 - Survey questionnaire
• Stage 2 - Document review and personal interviews
• Stage 3 - On-site case study observations and interviews.

Christine’s research will look specifically at the integration of decision support tools within the investment planning processes of regional NRM organisations, which has not been done previously. The outcomes of this research will have implications in the design and use of decision support tools and potentially influence their future uptake by NRM organisations.

Christine’s research falls into the CRC’s Program 4 area.

Objectives:

• Determine the level of awareness and use of NRM decision support tools
• Determine adoption constraints to NRM decision support tools
• Investigate benefits of using NRM investment decision support tool.
• Determine how designers can better meet the needs of regional NRM organisations and close the gap between the design and practical use of investment decision support tools
• Develop suggested approaches to encourage and support investment decision support tools integration into NRM decision making frameworks in the future.

For more information, email Christine.