CSIRO Plant lndustry's Cotton Management Support Systems Team (CMSST) develops and

delivers decision support systems (DSS) to improve the profitability and sustainability of

cotton production in Australia. The suite of DSS tools has continually evolved in response to

changes in demand, science, technology and extension since the late 1970s.

This report outlines a four year business plan (2007-2010) for the CMSST. The plan focuses

CMSST efforts on effectiveIy positioning and delivering DSS tool in cotton R&D and

extension to maximise industry outcomes and address these specified issues:

. Identify key user profiles and theirrespective needs and wants;

. Propose a range of adoption targets for cotton DSS;

. Identify positive and limiting factors influencing adoption (in software graphic user

interface (GUI) and for user training) in particular; and

. Outline a strategy to overcome limiting factors in adoption for the broader cotton

industry Extension network.

The report consists of three sections:

. Situation: analyses industry, R&D and extension context of CMSST and DSS;

. Goals: establishes the team's focus and associated adoption targets;

. Implementation plan: outlines 2007-2010 operational plan.