Ensuring Good Practice –
Meeting the User
Requirements
A specific study has already been undertaken to
identify the users and their requirements for
environmental telematics applications in the field of
air quality and water resource management in EU
and CEE countries (ENWAP, 1998. User
Requirements in Air and Water Management
Systems). The results of this study have shown that a
large spectrum of users – professionals, dealing with
the system itself, as well as public, NGO's,
researchers, decision makers etc. - are receptive to
such innovative telematics solutions.Meeting the User Requirements
| Recommendations Ensuring that end user requirements are delivered is the central key to assisting sustainable development through the use of new telematics technology. Thus, users have to be involved from the start and encouraged to contribute to the development of the system. |
Building Consensus and Raising
Awareness
The implementation of environment telematics
systems does introduce considerable institutional
changes.
A proficient transfer of knowledge and a consistent up-take can only take place if "the seeds are sown in a fertile soil", i.e. if the diffe rent users are actively involved from the start. Essential to long-term public commitment to undertake measures and provide financing for environmental concerns are public awareness and educational programs. The projects stressed that human factors are the cornerstone of the integration of new 'technology' by end users. A consensus amongst the different players (e.g. in public administrations, research institutes, etc.) is needed to overcome the resistance and the scepticism of the users who see their traditional working practices or authority challenged. Training and organisational changes are thus crucial and they require attention, investments and time.
| Recommendations Transfer of the knowledge, technology and application of information must have the pro-active involvement of end users. The matching of objectives with impacts should follow as a logical consequence. The European Commission and National Governments should continue further actions on improving training, education and knowledge transfer, on increasing the awareness for environmental problems. They should encourage project managers to evaluate the social impact of developed systems. The Local Authorities should be more proactive in encouraging greater dialogue between the different stakeholders and in promoting awareness and educational campaigns. They should consider, together with the stakeholders, which strategic and technological options are compatible with the wishes of the local people. |
Many basic environmental management issues in air and water pollution can be addressed in a cost-effective manner if the parties concerned directly participate in decision making, have access to information, receive opportunities to see demonstrations of new approaches, and have adequate personal commitment and financial incentives.
Acceptance of new ideas and of advanced technology needs not only training and education, but also the integration of local knowledge and technology.
When applying new systems and ways of working the effects on the people concerned should be central to the planning of the development. In particular, a social study should be included in the project where attention is given to the estimation of improved work efficiency, the workability of the system, the influence on the increase/reduction in the number of jobs, reduction of social exclusion and the long term continuity of the work.
Financial Planning
To promote the transferability of expertise and
technology, estimations of the investment costs and
financing of operation and maintenance of the
applications should be provided. Recommendations
for project managers of the developed system are
that they should they should ensure good estimates
of the costs involved in the undertaking (i.e. capital
investments, operational costs and human
resources). Also an estimation of the level of
transferability of the system in other sectors can
help to clarify the economic potentiality of it.
Information on the costs/benefits is essential if the
potential customer has to understand whether the
system could be self financing and for how long it
should be supported by external financing. Know-how
and technology transfer should provide the answer to
a specific need, identified by the user rather than
originating with the developer. Then, a criterion for
obtaining financial support could be an assessment of
the sustainability of the project, indicating if and when
such a system will be self-financing and competing with
other systems. In this case, the Commission, together
with National Governments, can decide if financial
resources are invested appropriately or not.
| Recommendations Project managers must provide: |
The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
