MVP and JTT are the two main figures behind the development of the dimensions of openness framework, open assessment method and the Opasnet web-workspace.
The first version of the dimensions of openness framework was developed already in the early phases of the INTARESE project.
Although in retrospect it can be seen that the dimensions of openness framework and the IEHIA method are complementary rather than fundamentally contradictory, some practical difficulties in merging these views led into their development side by side rather than together within the project.
In practice, this meant that the authors, also the initiators of the framework development, began to develop and apply the dimensions of openness framework in their work for developing a new, more holistic approach for environmental health risk analysis within one of the partnering institutions, the National Institute for Health and Welfare THLL) from Finland.
The scrutiny of openness according to the dimensions of openness framework can, as exemplified above, reveal interesting aspects of participation, assessment, and policy making practices, and their potential to deliver what they intend to.
4. The dimensions of openness framework provides a conceptual means for identifying and managing the interrelations between the purposes and outcomes of participation, assessment, and policy making, and thereby also for effective application of existing participatory models and techniques. 5.
Consequently, the dimensions of openness framework was eventually taken for further development and application also outside the project.
However, whereas they were constructed for the use of evaluating or describing existing participatory practices or designs, the dimensions of openness framework is explicitly and particularly intended to be used as a checklist type guidance to support design and management of participatory assessment and decision making processes.
The dimensions of openness framework also provides a context for evaluation and constructive criticism of contemporary conventions and institutions of participation, assessment, and policy making, and a basis for developing new conventions and institutions.
The openness and generality of the framework allows for a potentially broad scope of application.
