Architectural proposal for a context aware sensemaking support system that allows the flexible handling of information from multifaceted sources

The process of sensemaking usually forms the beginning of the management of a disaster and continues throughout its course. Information system provide tremendous opportunities to support this process. However, the vast scientific knowledge on the sensemaking process is given too little consideration in the design of information systems. Meanwhile, new means to get hold of current information on an ongoing disaster are emerging in the form of social media. While the actual value of social media data remains doubtful, it surely increases information overload in stressful emergency situations. This paper suggests an architecture for a sensemaking support system that assists the user by providing context aware filtering of information from various sources. Further research goals are to derive concrete user requirements from the knowledge on the cognitive process of sensemaking as well as to find the means to fulfil those requirements with actually feasible technological solutions.