Ecolens

AI-driven digital tool supporting policymakers in climate-related decision making.

Check the design process

Domain

Public policymaking

Client(s)

ErasmusAI, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Info.nl

My role

UX Designer, Stakeholder manager

Project duration

6 weeks

Team (3)

Arianna Bardelli,

Fatemeh Azhm,

Stefan van Brummelen

Policymaking domain

AI-workflow integration

Through design-by-doing and iterative expert testing, we developed an AI solution for policy-making workflows. My expertise focused on conceptualizing and validating the generic policymaking process, including both direct and indirect stakeholders, and assessing AI's potential contributions.

Policymaking workflow

Problem identification

Agenda setting

Policy development

Implementation

Monitoring and evaluation

Public opinion

Direct and indirect stakeholders

Ministry

Workers and

labour unions

Companies and

industries

Municipalities

Politics

Non-governmental

organisations (NGOs)

Product focus

Concept

development

Concepting testing with SMEs

Explored various potential solutions. Validated concepts through testing with subject matter experts. Aligned technological capabilities with stakeholder needs. Experts suggested: Including all human stakeholders in the lens setup. Giving them a voice in the dashboard to ensure objectivity.

Concepting testing with SMEs

Design process

Prototyping

mid-fi and hi-fi

Iterating & hi-fi prototype testing

Sketching and iterating on initial ideas. Collaborating with a teammate to design a hi-fi prototype for testing purposes. Preparing and leading quick usability tests with SMEs to refine designs.

Iterating & hi-fi prototype testing

Sketching and iterating on initial ideas. Collaborating with a teammate to design a hi-fi prototype for testing purposes. Preparing and leading quick usability tests with SMEs to refine designs.

User testing

with policymakers

Design validation & critical feedback

Policymakers confirmed the tool enhances informed decision-making by: Improving transparency Considering diverse stakeholder perspectives Critical feedback: Legal concerns about tool adaptability raised by the Ministry Experts worried about potential siloing of human stakeholder perspectives Experts recommend a comprehensive decision making overview for transparency and trust Changes made: Introduced a 'Change log' to address concerns

Design validation & critical feedback

Full test report

Personal reflection

Enterprise design skill development

Improved my skills in designing AI-integrated tools that promote transparency and trust.

Learned to transform expert feedback into iterative design cycles, balancing technical possibilities with user needs.
Deepened my understanding of AI in design and policy-making by:
- Exploring existing climate-related forecast models relevant to the project.
- Validating ideas with an AI expert, policy advisors, and policymakers.
Confirmed my interest in complex enterprise projects involving diverse user types and needs.
Recognized the reward of addressing conflicting stakeholder needs—especially when the project has societal impact.
Strengthened my belief that designers can act as intermediaries, carefully balancing stakeholder needs in system-affected contexts.