Groupware Suite and Its Use in Decision Making COLLABORATIVE COMPUTER-SUPPORTED TECHNOLOGIES AND GROUP SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Learning Objectives Understand the integrated groupware suite Explore GDSS/GSS with a focus on ThinkTank Familiar with the process of setting up an online session in GDSS (e.g. ThinkTank) Discuss emerging collaboration tools Discuss creativity in the context of GDSS

Integrated Groupware Suites A software suite is created when several products are integrated into one system Integrating several technologies can save time and money for users Electronic brainstorming A computer-supported methodology of idea generation by association. This group process uses analogy and synergy

Integrated Groupware Suites Lotus Notes/Domino and Lotusphere Microsoft Netmeeting and Live Meeting Groove Networks WeBex Meeting Center and PlaceWare Conference Center ThinkTank from GroupSystems, Inc.

Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS Group decision support systems (GDSS) /Group support system (GSS) An interactive computer-based system that facilitates the solution of semistructured and unstructured problems by a group of decision makers. It supports the work of groups (communication, decision making).

Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS Electronic meeting systems (EMS) An information technology-based environment that supports group meetings (groupware), which may be distributed geographically and temporally

Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS How GDSS (or GSS) improves groupwork Parallelism In a group-support system, a process gain in which everyone in a group can work simultaneously (in brainstorming, voting, ranking, etc.)

Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS GDSS (or GSS): Supports parallel processing of information and idea generation (parallelism). Enables the participation of larger groups with more complete information, knowledge, and skills. Permits the group to use structured or unstructured techniques and methods.

Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS GDSS (or GSS): Offers rapid, easy access to external information Allows parallel computer discussions. Helps participants frame the big picture. Anonymity allows shy people to contribute to the meeting Anonymity helps prevent aggressive individuals from driving a meeting

Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS GDSS (or GSS): Provides for multiple ways to participate in instant, anonymous voting Enables several users to interact simultaneously Records all information presented at a meeting

Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS Facilities for GDSS Decision room An arrangement for a group support system in which PCs are available to some or all participants. The objective is to enhance groupwork Multiuse facilities Internet/intranet-based systems

Products and Tools for GDSS/GSS and Successful Implementation Organizing a GSS session—Face-to-face, same time/same place electronic meetings generally follow a common progression The group leader meets with the facilitator to plan the meeting—select the software tools and develop an agenda The participants meet in the decision room, the leader poses a question or problem to the group The participants type their ideas or comments (i.e., brainstorm), and the results are displayed publicly

Products and Tools for GDSS/GSS and Successful Implementation Organizing a GSS session The facilitator, using idea organization software, searches for common themes, topics, and ideas and organizes them into rough categories, the results are publicly displayed The leader starts a discussion, the participants prioritize the ideas The top 5 or 10 topics are sent to idea-generation software following a discussion; the process can be repeated or a final vote can be taken

Products and Tools for GDSS/GSS and Successful Implementation

Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis Voice over IP (VoIP) (Internet telephony) Communication systems that transmit voice calls over Internet Protocol-based networks

Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis Voice over IP (VoIP) Benefits of VoIP for business Allows CIOs to explore different deployment options for company’s communications needs Lowers total cost of ownership Lowers operational costs Reduces hardware requirements on the server side for certain applications Provides a holistic approach to security Helps streamline workflows Enables optimized conferencing tools to replace business travel

Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis Voice over IP (VoIP) Benefits of VoIP for users Eliminates unwanted interruptions and unproductive actions by intelligently filtering communications Speed decision making by providing access to real-time presence information, Initiates ad hoc conferencing/collaboration sessions Enables participation in conferencing sessions quickly and easily via a variety of mobile devices

Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis Collaborative workflow Wiki A piece of server software available in a Web site that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser Wikilog A blog that allows everyone to participate as a peer; any one may add, delete, or change content

Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis Collaborative networks In a collaborative network, partners at any point in the network can interact with each other, bypassing traditional partners Corporate (enterprise) portal A gateway for entering a corporate Web site, enabling communication, collaboration, and access to company information

Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support Personality-related creativity traits include: Inventiveness Independence Individuality Enthusiasm Flexibility

Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support Creativity can be learned and improved” Some specific creativity measures in brainstorming: The quantitative (number of ideas) The qualitative (quality of ideas) components Stimulation by other creative people in the environment can push a group forward Stimulation can come directly from exciting ideas developed as a consequence of association among creative people Stimulation may even come from friction among employees

Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support Idea generation through electronic brainstorming Idea generation The process by which people generate ideas, usually supported by software; for example, developing alternative solutions to a problem With collaborative computing-support tools, the individuals do all the thinking, and the software system encourages them to proceed

Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support Creativity-enhancing software Computer programs that exhibit creative behavior Electronic idea generation for problem solving Software that facilitates human creativity