RAP (Rapid Assessment Program)
RAP, Rapid Assessment Program, is software which implements through a graphical interface a methodology to qualitatively evaluate the consequences of interaction of policies. The software guides the user or users through several steps in which the problem analysis is made and goals are defined. A representation model of the (natural) system is created and effects of measures and exogenous developments (scenarios) are evaluated.
Knowledge of the various components of land and water systems (biotic and otherwise) and their interrelationship is important as a basis for the development of sustainable coastal zone policies and management. The potential effects of interactions or changes in a land and water system are often difficult to estimate because of gaps in the knowledge concerning the way different components of system relate to each other. Many of these relationships are qualitative in nature and area-dependent.
The idea behind the development of RAP was to enable the users to visualise these complex and generally qualitative, relationships between these components and provide understanding of the impact of interventions on each other and on the system as a whole.
RAP can be used to produce an initial model (an example) on the basis of the qualitative relationship between system components. This makes it possible to identify whether current understanding of the system is complete and coherent. At a later stage, RAP can also be used to work out the effect of possible measures, combinations of measures (strategies) and autonomous developments (scenarios).
RAP is being developed and used by Resource Analysis and RIVM to deal with questions like: