How can Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City balance the accessibility of its economic research publications with the need to maintain their credibility and depth?

Introduction

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City faces a critical trade-off between making its economic research publications widely accessible and maintaining their credibility and depth. This challenge touches on the core mission of the Fed to provide valuable economic insights while ensuring the information remains authoritative and comprehensive. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining the current product ecosystem, identifying key metrics, designing experiments, and proposing a decision framework to guide our approach.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on the current economic climate, I'm thinking accessibility might be particularly crucial right now. Could you provide more context on the recent demand for these publications?

Why it matters: Helps gauge the urgency and potential impact of increased accessibility. Expected answer: Increased public interest due to economic uncertainty. Impact on approach: Would prioritize quick accessibility improvements if demand is high.

• Considering the Fed's reputation, I'm assuming credibility is a top priority. How has the credibility of these publications been measured or perceived in recent years?

Why it matters: Establishes a baseline for maintaining or improving credibility. Expected answer: High credibility based on expert reviews and citations. Impact on approach: Would focus on preserving existing credibility measures in any accessibility initiatives.

• Looking at user segments, I'm thinking there might be diverse audiences for these publications. Can you share insights on the primary user groups and their specific needs?

Why it matters: Helps tailor accessibility and depth to different user segments. Expected answer: Mix of academics, policymakers, and general public. Impact on approach: Would consider multi-tiered content strategy based on user sophistication.

• Regarding technical capabilities, I'm curious about the current digital infrastructure. What platforms or technologies are currently used to distribute these publications?

Why it matters: Identifies potential technical constraints or opportunities for improving accessibility. Expected answer: Primarily PDF downloads with some interactive web content. Impact on approach: Would explore enhanced digital formats for improved accessibility if infrastructure allows.

• Considering resource allocation, I'm wondering about the research team's capacity. How much additional effort could be directed towards making publications more accessible without compromising depth?

Why it matters: Determines feasibility of potential solutions within current resource constraints. Expected answer: Limited additional capacity without compromising core research. Impact on approach: Would focus on efficient, scalable solutions that don't overburden the research team.