Increasing team collaboration using a mobile device-based communication tool

摘要

Effective team collaboration often requires effective communication tools. Tools such as cell phones, email and web-based wikis have been used to communicate among project team members. However, these existing tools do not seem to be actively used during the course of a team project or information overload occurs where too much information is given that it is hard to track the progress of the project. The current generation of smart-phones can be utilized to create a team communication tool that encourages and facilitates team collaboration. As a mobile device is pervasive, it has great advantage in encouraging fast, easy and frequent communication between team members and increases the likelihood that communication is not ignored. We introduce a mobile device-based tool, called iProjectBuddy, which uses an iPhone and its capabilities to implement communication features that can enable effective team collaboration through frequent communication. By facilitating active participation in ateam project, the overall success of a team project can be affected positively.