The OECD South East Europe Regional Programme (SEERP) helps communicate the recent successes and challenges for policymakers in each region. The SEERP's work is important for boosting competitiveness and regional integration in the Western Balkans, in line with the region's EU agenda.
Project Overview
The OECD Competitiveness Data Hub is an important digital platform designed to make its 2024 report more accessible, engaging, and actionable for policymakers and the public. As a developer, I led the technical decisions for the platform, assuring that the data was accurately visualised and that the user experience was well received. The application is used by policymakers in the Western Balkans to make informed decisions as they strive for alignment with EU standards.
Challenges and Insights
Data Visualization Complexity
The most significant challenge was designing the visualisation system for the data point, where everything needed to be visible even when overlapping. Using D3.js to create SVG charts along with scaling and vector calculations, I was able to ensure that all data remained accurate and visually clear, even in dense regions of the dataset.
Multi-Channel Adaptability
Creating a cohesive user experience across platforms required innovative approaches. While the web visualisation was the client's core focus, ensuring that the responsive design retained the core experience was also important.
Collaboration in a High-Stakes Environment
Working with the OECD introduced unique challenges, such as navigating geopolitical sensitive topics like trade agreements and regional conflicts, and balancing input from multiple stakeholders. Communication and flexibility were essential to meeting the strict deadlines for the high-profile launch event in Paris.
Key Learnings
- Precision in Data Representation: Developing robust systems for handling complex datasets reinforced the importance of balancing flexibility with rigorous validation.
- Multi-Channel Design Strategy: From the beginning, designing with multiple platforms and formats in mind was crucial for ensuring consistency and scalability.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Navigating a multi-stakeholder project emphasised the need for clear communication, compromise, and agility to achieve ambitious goals.
Impact
The report's launch was well received and has been an essential project for 2024. My technical innovations directly contributed to making the OECD Competitiveness Data Hub a user-friendly and powerful tool for policymakers worldwide. The success of this platform shows the importance of visualising complex economic data in an accessible way, helping policymakers to improve competitiveness and regional integration in the Western Balkans.