Background

Scenomi began as SUMMIT - a structured approach to understanding human activity in context and to identifying and assessing ways that this activity can be supported with information technology. Products of the SUMMIT approach include specifications of core organizational activities, a technology and information architecture to support these activities, and measures of the relative utility (benefits, costs, and risks) of supporting different activities. SUMMIT was used as a method and supporting software application used to help identify and analyze technology investments in healthcare. This is a user and use-centric approach to justifying technology investments.


The philosophy underlying the design is based on two core beliefs.

  • 1. Methods and lessons learned from user-centered design and evaluation can be used to help people understand the actual and potential role of technology supporting human activity.
  • 2. Some simple ideas from economics can be made available to anyone to help them make better technology selection decisions.