Requirements for the design of tools for computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW) in design

P. Mann
2005 Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work in Design, 2005.  
In order to gain a better understanding of online conceptual collaborative design processes this paper investigates how student designers make use of a shared virtual synchronous environment when engaged in conceptual design. The software enables users to talk to each other and share sketches when they are remotely located. The paper describes a novel methodology for observing and analysing collaborative design processes by adapting the concepts of grounded theory. Rather than concentrating on
more » ... arrow aspects of the final artefacts, emerging "themes" are generated that provide a broader picture of collaborative design process and context descriptions. Findings on the themes of "grounding -mutual understanding" and "support creativity" complement findings from other research, while important themes associated with "near-synchrony" have not been emphasised in other research. From the study, a series of design recommendations are made for the development of tools to support online computer-supported collaborative work in design using a shared virtual environment.
doi:10.1109/cscwd.2005.194309 dblp:conf/cscwd/Mann05 fatcat:ipffro7wm5agvcslsv4l2xmcuq