Short answer
Designers and researchers developing digital tools for complex environmental management systems should prioritize a deeply collaborative, user-centered co-design process that accounts for the diverse needs and political realities of all stakeholders.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Frontiers in Environmental Science (2026)
- Method
- Qualitative, ethnographic research involving participatory workshops and interviews.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Developing digital twin technologies for complex environmental systems like flood risk management is significantly more effective when it actively involves and integrates the diverse perspectives and requirements of all professional stakeholders from the outset. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Frontiers in Environmental Science. Using Qualitative, ethnographic research involving participatory workshops and interviews., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and researchers developing digital tools for complex environmental management systems should prioritize a deeply collaborative, user-centered co-design process that accounts for the diverse needs and political realities of all stakeholders.
Co-designing Digital Twins for Flood Risk Management Requires Navigating Diverse Stakeholder Needs
Developing digital twin technologies for complex environmental systems like flood risk management is significantly more effective when it actively involves and integrates the diverse perspectives and requirements of all professional stakeholders from the outset.
Frontiers in Environmental Science · 2026
Key Findings
- 01Developing digital twins for environmental management is complicated by the diverse statutory responsibilities, priorities, and needs of multiple professional stakeholders.
- 02Current digital twin development processes are often technology-driven and top-down, rather than user-focused and bottom-up.
- 03There is no formal method for the design of digital twins or established methods for accounting for end-user needs.
- 04Data-sharing politics and the role of academic research are critical factors in shaping the development and adoption of digital tools in FRM.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and researchers developing digital tools for complex environmental management systems should prioritize a deeply collaborative, user-centered co-design process that accounts for the diverse needs and political realities of all stakeholders.
How to apply
When designing any complex digital system that requires input and collaboration from multiple professional groups, initiate early and continuous engagement through workshops, interviews, and iterative feedback loops.
Project actions
- 01Clearly define the target user groups and their roles early in the design process.
- 02Use a variety of methods to gather user input, such as interviews, surveys, and participatory design workshops.
- 03Document how user feedback has influenced design decisions.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Focuses on a real-world, complex problem (flood risk management).
- +Employs qualitative methods to capture nuanced user perspectives.
- +Proposes a practical framework for future research planning.
Limitations
The co-design process can be time-consuming and may require significant resources to facilitate effectively.
Reliability & validity
The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but may limit generalizability. Triangulation of data from interviews and workshops enhances validity. Reliability would depend on the consistency of findings across different researchers or over time.
Think critically
To what extent can the principles of co-design for digital twins in flood risk management be generalized to other complex socio-technical systems, and what adaptations might be necessary?
Design Principles
"Integrate diverse stakeholder needs and perspectives throughout the design process to ensure the relevance and usability of complex digital tools."
This approach ensures that the final digital tool is not only technically sound but also practically relevant and usable by the intended professionals. Ignoring the varied priorities and data-sharing concerns of different agencies can lead to adoption barriers and suboptimal outcomes.
What This Means for Your Design
When building a digital tool for a group of professionals, it's best to ask them what they need and want, rather than just building what you think is cool. Different professionals have different jobs and priorities, and you need to consider all of them.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user research and stakeholder engagement in your design project.
- 2.Use the findings to justify your chosen user research methods and how you will address diverse user needs.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research underscores the critical need for user-centered design in the development of complex digital systems. By actively involving diverse professional stakeholders in a co-design process, as demonstrated in flood risk management, designers can better address varied priorities and ensure the practical relevance and usability of the final product, thereby mitigating potential adoption barriers and improving overall effectiveness.
Source
Frontiers in Environmental Science
“That’s the dream, right?”: reflections on the co-design of an environmental digital twin by flood risk management professionals
journal · 2026
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about co-designing digital twins for flood risk management requires navigating diverse stakeholder needs?
- Designers and researchers developing digital tools for complex environmental management systems should prioritize a deeply collaborative, user-centered co-design process that accounts for the diverse needs and political realities of all stakeholders. Evidence: Frontiers in Environmental Science (2026).
- Why does "Co-designing Digital Twins for Flood Risk Management Requires Navigating Diverse Stakeholder Needs" matter for design?
- This approach ensures that the final digital tool is not only technically sound but also practically relevant and usable by the intended professionals. Ignoring the varied priorities and data-sharing concerns of different agencies can lead to adoption barriers and suboptimal outcomes.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and researchers developing digital tools for complex environmental management systems should prioritize a deeply collaborative, user-centered co-design process that accounts for the diverse needs and political realities of all stakeholders.
- What were the main findings?
- Developing digital twins for environmental management is complicated by the diverse statutory responsibilities, priorities, and needs of multiple professional stakeholders.. Current digital twin development processes are often technology-driven and top-down, rather than user-focused and bottom-up.. There is no formal method for the design of digital twins or established methods for accounting for end-user needs.. Data-sharing politics and the role of academic research are critical factors in shaping the development and adoption of digital tools in FRM.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative, ethnographic research involving participatory workshops and interviews..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Frontiers in Environmental Science.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing any complex digital system that requires input and collaboration from multiple professional groups, initiate early and continuous engagement through workshops, interviews, and iterative feedback loops.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are specific to the context of flood risk management and may not directly translate to all environmental management domains without adaptation.