Pattern Library Basics Design Patterns Research Group

Knowledge capture and transfer How do organizations record important information for later use? How do they record information about design, including the design of processes? This is part of the broad field of knowledge management Pattern libraries are a tool for knowledge management

Knowledge capture and transfer Face to face Interviews Observation Apprenticeships Training Programs Documents Handbooks Policies & procedures Style manuals Project notes/records Minutes of meetings Regulations Design patterns Etc.

Applicable knowledge transfer situations Doctors joining staff of a hospital Engineers (etc.) joining an ongoing project in their organization Contributing to public knowledge by government agencies, non-profits, and companies promoting their skills. For example: Usability.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) LabelPatterns.org

Design patterns and pattern libraries What constitutes a design pattern? How does a pattern differ from other guidance? What constitutes a pattern library (language, collection, etc.)? As a default we will talk about “pattern libraries”

What is a design pattern? Design patterns are enhanced guidelines that follow a problem-solution structure They employ standard components (drawn from a wide superset) They address a design problem with no obvious solution (a heuristic problem). You don’t write a pattern for calculating the circumference of a circle). Design problems pertain to both artifacts and processes.

What is a design pattern? They are usually part of a library of design patterns

What is a pattern library? A collection of patterns dealing with one general (or specific topic) They exist in various media—print, web, wiki They may be public or proprietary Various means for finding desired patterns: – Browse – Database query – Search – Hyperlinking Pattern libraries may contain other kinds of content

What is a pattern library? Pattern libraries may contain other kinds of content

When are pattern libraries a worthwhile form of knowledge transfer? Heuristic vs. algorithmic problems Manageable complexity of problem space (sweet spot) Reference function (non-linear access) Pattern library for K-6 math? Pattern library for writing a novel? Pattern library for website design? Pattern library for consumer-information labels?