Eliciting User Requirements for Government Data Visualization Projects: Insights from Industry Practitioners

Core Concepts

Government data visualization projects differ from other software projects in their stakeholder diversity, policy requirements, time and quality considerations, and the need to balance human and social aspects during the requirements elicitation phase.

Abstract

The study findings reveal several key differences between government data visualization projects and other software projects in the requirements elicitation phase:
Stakeholders: Government data visualization projects involve a diverse set of stakeholders, including government employees, the public, and various organizations. Government employees play a crucial role in defining software requirements, but they may lack professional knowledge and experience in relevant technologies.
Policy Requirements: Government data visualization projects have more stringent policy and legal requirements that must be considered during the requirements elicitation phase. Policy changes are also a key factor influencing requirement changes.
Time and Quality: Government data visualization projects are often less agile and require more time during the requirements elicitation phase. However, some projects may also demand higher quality of user requirements.
Human and Social Aspects: The requirements elicitation phase for government data visualization projects must consider a range of human and social aspects, such as culture, team dynamics, accessibility, and policy implications. These factors are critical in ensuring the inclusivity and effectiveness of the final product.
Main Challenges: The key challenges encountered during the requirements elicitation phase include ambiguity, change, and vagueness in requirements, technical issues, insufficient professional knowledge among stakeholders, and social issues related to public interest and cultural considerations.

Stats

"Our government project serves minority ethnic areas. We need to consider local languages, cultures, and educational backgrounds." (P2)
"We've got to think about cultural differences, gender equality, education levels, what people with disabilities need, and age differences. These factors can change how users feel about and accept different ways of showing, and interactive." (P3)
"The user base for government services is really wide, covering various socio-economic statuses and cultural differences. Understanding and catering to these diverse needs is a challenge." (P5)
"Previous government projects have used outdated tech or framework, which might not be suitable for new government visualization projects" (P8)
"This involves balancing the needs of disabled users and normal users, tackling the complexities and data density, and the constraints of technical implementation." (P9)

Quotes

"Actually, one of the major issues is that what leaders want to showcase isn't always supported by available data in the system, or there's simply no way to obtain the right data." (P1)
"The meanings of these concepts and terms can vary and be unclear because of different specializations and backgrounds, needing extra time and work to make them clear." (P2)
"Requirements are key for government data visualization projects because they have to stick to strict policies and laws." (P10)

Key Insights Distilled From

Requirements Elicitation in Government Projects

by Anqi Ren,Lin... at arxiv.org 04-09-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.05425.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can requirements elicitation processes be adapted to better accommodate the diverse stakeholder landscape and policy requirements of government data visualization projects?

In government data visualization projects, it is crucial to adapt requirements elicitation processes to effectively accommodate the diverse stakeholder landscape and policy requirements. One strategy is to conduct thorough stakeholder analysis to identify all relevant parties, including government employees, policymakers, the public, and external organizations. Engaging with these stakeholders through various techniques such as interviews, workshops, and surveys can help in understanding their needs and preferences. Additionally, creating tailored communication channels and documentation to ensure clear and consistent information flow can facilitate effective requirements elicitation.
To address policy requirements, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the project. Collaborating closely with legal experts and policymakers can help in aligning the requirements with the established policies. Moreover, incorporating policy compliance checks and reviews throughout the requirements elicitation process can ensure that the final solution meets all necessary regulations.

How can the consideration of human and social aspects, such as culture, accessibility, and team dynamics, be systematically integrated into the requirements elicitation process for government data visualization projects to ensure inclusive and effective solutions?

Integrating human and social aspects into the requirements elicitation process for government data visualization projects is vital to ensure inclusive and effective solutions. One approach is to conduct thorough user research to understand the cultural nuances, accessibility needs, and team dynamics that may impact the project. This can involve engaging with diverse user groups, including individuals with disabilities, to gather insights into their specific requirements and preferences.
Creating personas and user scenarios that reflect the cultural diversity and accessibility needs of the target audience can help in designing solutions that cater to a wide range of users. Additionally, establishing cross-functional teams with diverse expertise and perspectives can facilitate a more holistic approach to requirements elicitation. Encouraging open communication and collaboration within the team can foster a supportive environment for addressing human and social aspects effectively.
Regularly reviewing and validating requirements with stakeholders from different backgrounds can ensure that the solution remains inclusive and aligned with the project goals. Incorporating feedback mechanisms and iterative refinement processes based on human and social considerations can lead to the development of solutions that are not only technically sound but also culturally sensitive and accessible to all users.