Case Study: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill builds a human-centered ecosystem map with EcoMap Technologies

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill maps 250,000+ resources with EcoMap Discover

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faced a challenge in connecting its vast but decentralized innovation resources with the researchers and innovators who needed them. Previous attempts to map this ecosystem with spreadsheets were limited, quickly outdated, and not user-friendly. To solve this, the university's Design and Innovation for the Public Good team partnered with vendor EcoMap Technologies to use its EcoMap Discover platform to create a dynamic and accessible solution.

EcoMap Technologies implemented a human-centered design process to co-create the ecosystem map with end-users, including faculty, students, and community members. The solution involved extensive stakeholder interviews, prototyping, and iterative testing, which resulted in a highly functional platform. This was enhanced with an AI-powered chatbot to guide users to the correct resources. The ongoing use of the map actively nurtures the university's ecosystem by facilitating connections and personal relationships, with EcoMap's platform serving as the foundational tool for engagement and continuous improvement.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill