DISTENDER_D8.1_User requirements

This document is a formal deliverable of the DISTENDER project and was developed within Work Package 8: Decision Support System, Task 8.1: DSS Requirements.The purpose of this document is to define the user requirements concerning a Decision Support System (DSS) aimed to support decision-makers in planning the activity of adaptation and mitigation strategies in response to the climate change.The requirements will be treated as valid recommendations concerning the usability of the system at the development stage of the Decision Support System. The software design process will follow a User Centred Design approach (UCD). The user requirements gathering is the first stage of this approach and has its source in the needs, characteristics, and abilities of the users. Therefore, determining who will use the system is very important. Understanding the user and his needs gives a basis for analysing how the system should be designed and what functionalities it should have to ensure that it will be used in an effective, efficient, safe, and satisfying manner.The user requirements specified here will be subject to further verification. Not all of the requirements may be considered as relevant and used during implementation. Their feasibility in terms of budget limitations, human resources (PM), and technical constraints will be taken into account. During the verification process, it should be analysed whether the implementation of individual requirements will affect other elements of the system negatively, disturb its cohesion, or reduce user-friendliness and usability. It will be done as part of the design task.