Form and Function – Making the Collaborative Tool Fit the Setting

HydroLogics has a long history of using collaborative modeling tools to help resolve complex water resources problems. Some of these tools are used in public settings, sometimes in institutional settings. Sometimes the intent of the collaboration is more introductory and educational, and sometimes is focused more on evaluating alternatives, with the intent of developing and adopting a course of action. This presentation will describe the tools and user interfaces used in two different collaborations – one and educational setting in Eastern Kansas, and the other an institutional setting to improve water management in a Northern New Jersey utility. The level of detail, modeling scope, and the ways in which users interacted with the two modeling tools will be compared, and the rationale for the different designs will be presented.