OWARNA - User needs in the "Future warning system" project

Abstract

MeteoSwiss warns of weather hazards on behalf of the federal government. The current severe weather warning system of MeteoSwiss has been in operation for several years and is now to be renewed within the OWARNA2@MCH program based on the latest findings from natural and social science research. The main project of the OWARNA2@MCH program is the "Future Warning System" project. To define the parameters of a new warning system, it is important to combine the user needs with the benefits the warning system can provide. The effort that goes into producing a warning can only be justified if the warning reaches the user, the user understands it and takes action to avoid harm or casualties. A User Needs Analysis is part of Module 2 of the New Warning System project at MeteoSwiss. In addition to the public, important recipients of MeteoSwiss warnings are authorities such as cantons, municipalities and emergency response organizations. They derive regionally and locally specific consequences from the warnings, decide on necessary measures and ensure the protection of the population in the event of a serious incident. In order for the organizations concerned to be able to take the right measures in the event of an incident, the warnings must meet their needs and provide them with the best possible support in fulfilling their tasks. MeteoSwiss took to task to explore the data product/service needs of two main target groups: Natural Hazard Experts (from here on, mentioned as NHE) and Fire Commanders or Inspectors. At a “New Warning System” internal project workshop on October, 19. 2020, MeteoSwiss collected and jointly prioritized their questions for these target groups (presented in table 1). In cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), these questions are partly answered through the qualitative and quantitative research process presented in this document. Their final resolution will occur at the Design-thinking workshops at the FHNW in Olten in June 2021. After the workshops, a photo protocol will be attached as Appendix C to this document. The workshop goals are to have two data product development iterations with representatives from both target groups and MeteoSwiss experts. The weather warning data product parameters or, in the language of Design-thinking, the design specifications are based on the quantitative data from this document. The collaboration between MeteoSwiss and the FHNW should also serve as a knowledge transfer and enable MeteoSwiss to carry out the Jobs-to-Be-Done method independently in the future.