Visualizing alternate futures is a powerful tool for anyone interested in assessing the impact of today’s decision making 10, 50 or even 100 years from now.  Arizona State University has created just such a resource with the Decision Theater. Scientists, academics, government officials, community members, and business leaders can tap into a tool never offered to the public, until now. 

Led by Executive Director, Dr. Rick Shangraw, the Decision Theater brings policy makers and decision makers together to address challenging problems in a unique, visualization environment. The theater itself consists of an interactive 3D immersive environment that includes a high performance computation cluster and the latest state-of-the-art graphics technologies. The core component, called the Drum, is a 260-degree, faceted screen with seven rear projection passive stereo sources displaying panoramic computer graphics or 3D screen video content. The Drum accommodates 25 people and includes tools for collecting participant input and interaction inside the Drum. The advanced visualization environment enables policymakers and others to see in detailed, three-dimensional representation the consequences of behavior, decisions and policy in order to examine potential future scenarios.

The data fusion, integration and visualization resources at the Decision Theater coupled with the vast knowledge network of ASU researchers provides new and emerging entrepreneurs as well as established business with an unparalleled resource. Business forecasting, homeland security applications and simulations, land use planning, transportation planning, critical infrastructure analysis (energy, water, food chain), spatial analysis of service delivery, facility planning, environmental analysis and planning, biomedical models, and visual pattern analysis are some of the examples where businesses could take advantage of the Decision Theater.

The Decision Theater is encouraging collaborative projects with local entrepreneurs and businesses.  The cost to work with the Decision Theater is based on the amount of services required to complete a project.  Currently, the Decision Theater is teaming with a number of local businesses to secure project funding from State and Federal Agencies.  Other local businesses are contracting directly with the Decision Theater to become more competitive in the marketplace.

Mr. Ira A. Fulton helped to create the Decision Theater through a generous $3,000,000 gift.  The Decision Theater is organized under the Office of the Vice President of Research and Economic Affairs and is currently partnering with the Decision Center for Desert Cities (DCDC), International Institute of Sustainability (IIS), InCISE, and the East Valley Water Forum (EVWF). The Decision Theater is located in the Orchid House in downtown Tempe and provides public tours several times a week.  They can be reached at (480) 965-4808 for more information or on the web at www.decisiontheater.com.