gIBIS: a hypertext tool for team design deliberation

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces an application-specific hypertext system designed to facilitate the capture of early design deliberations, which implements a specific design method called Issue Based Information Systems (IBIS). The hypertext system described here, gIBIS(for graphical IBIS), makes use of color and a high speed relational database server to facilitate building and browsing typed IBIS networks. Further, gIBIS is designed to support the collaborative construction of these networks by any number of cooperating team members spread across a local area network. Early experiments suggest that the gIBIS tool, while still incomplete, forges a good match between graphical interface and design method even in this experimental version.

REFERENCES

• CON87a: Jeff Conklin, Hypertext: an introduction and survey, Computer, v.20 n.9, p.17-41, Sept. 1987 [doi>10.1109/MC.1987.1663693]
• CON87b: Conklin, J., "The Capture of Design Rationale". Paper in progress, to be MCC TR in fall of 1987.
• EVE86: J. D. Eveland , T. K. Bikson, Evolving electronic communication networks: an empirical assessment, Proceedings of the 1986 ACM conference on Computer-supported cooperative work, December 03-05, 1986, Austin, Texas [doi>10.1145/637069.637080]
• HOR86: Horton, M. and Adams, R (Center for Seismic Studies, Arlington, Va.). "How to read the network news." Distributed by Mr. Adams quarterly over the USENET news network.
• RIT70: Rittel, H. and Kunz, W. "Issues as elements of information systems." Working paper #131. Institut fur Grundlagen der Ylanung I.A. University of Stuttgart.
• TRI86: Randall H. Trigg , Lucy A. Suchman , Frank G. Halasz, Supporting collaboration in notecards, Proceedings of the 1986 ACM conference on Computer-supported cooperative work, December 03-05, 1986, Austin, Texas [doi>10.1145/637069.637089]

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.7 DOCUMENT AND TEXT PROCESSING
      I.7.2 Document Preparation
          Subjects: Hypertext/hypermedia

General Terms:
Design, Documentation, Human Factors, Languages, Management, Performance, Theory