Guidance for identifying and prioritising decision-relevant questions
This tool guides ECDC staff through the six-step process of translating an incoming request into prioritised, answerable questions and a corresponding evidence plan. It draws on the WHO-INTEGRATE evidence-to-decision (EtD) framework and is designed for use across standard, rapid, and ultra-rapid timelines.
Choose your path
Path A — Full walkthrough
Work through all six steps in order. Recommended for first-time users.
Path B — Go to steps
Jump directly to the step-by-step process using the sidebar.
Path C — Go to tools
Open any tool directly. Results carry forward automatically.
Process overview — six steps
Incoming request
Step 1Map request to decision domain(s)
Step 2Refine into answerable question(s)
Step 3Assess question relevance
Step 4Select evidence approach
Step 5Document outputs
Step 6Confirm interpretation with requester
Prioritised questions + evidence plan
Review the incoming request and mark each domain. Err on the side of inclusion — domains marked Unclear will be resolved in Step 2. Domains marked No will not proceed.
Tool 1A
Map the request to decision domain(s)
Step 1
| Decision domain | Key question | Applies to this request? |
|---|
For each domain carried forward from Step 1, select a sub-criterion from the dropdown. The guiding question updates automatically. Then formulate your specific answerable question in the text field.
Tool 1B
Refine into answerable question(s)
Step 2
For each answerable question from Tool 1B, assess its relevance. This determines the depth of the evidence approach in Step 4.
Tool 2A
Assess question relevance
Step 3
| Answerable question (from Tool 1B) | Relevance | Rationale |
|---|
Highly relevant — most robust approach feasible
Relevant — targeted search or expert elicitation acceptable
Not relevant — document, do not pursue
For each prioritised question, select the timeline, evidence approach, feasibility, and responsible party. Multiple evidence approaches may be selected per question.
Tool 2B
Select the evidence approach
Step 4
Evidence synthesis
Empirical evaluation
Normative evaluation
Structured expert elicitation
Multiple selections allowed
Record the full scoping process. Fields marked as auto-populated are filled from earlier steps and can be edited if needed.
Tool 3A
Document the scoping process and outputs
Step 5
Requester
Date received
Request as received
Request source
Expected output
Timeline
Domains identified (auto-populated from Tool 1A)
Complete Step 1 to populate…
Answerable questions (auto-populated from Tools 1B / 2A)
Complete Steps 2–3 to populate…
Key assumptions and open issues
ECDC role
Confirm scoping outputs with the requester before substantial evidence work begins. Adapt to timeline: written confirmation for Standard; verbal or email for Rapid; post-hoc for Ultra-rapid.
Tool 3B
Confirm interpretation with the requester
Step 6
If revision is needed, return to the relevant step. Under ultra-rapid timelines, post-hoc confirmation should be completed at the earliest opportunity.
Scoping record — overview