Collaborative Design Technology: Tools and Techniques for Improving CollaborativeDesign

摘要

This report provides a composite review of the programmatical perspective,theoretical background, research foundations/methods, and situated' practice associated with the Collaborative Design Technological Laboratory (CDTL). Collaborative Design Technology denotes a triadic relationship among collaboration (interactive group process), design (a constructive task), and information technology. Selected issues in collaborative design and collaborative technology are given with the intent to leverage design technology. Reviews of background literature in computer-supported collaborative work and design rationale set the stage for the scope of enquiry into CDT. An analysis of the CDTL infrastructure and physical factors in ground support are discussed. The report provides a comprehensive depiction of all research activities including experimental, observational, simulation, and technology studies conducted by CDTL personnel. Examples of developing technology I projected guidelines are offered for group interfaces, desktop video conferencing, and the World Wide Web. Conclusions are drawn which highlight (1) the value (and the difficulty) of developing ecologically valid research paradigms and conducting ethnographic studies within collaborative design (2) the relative merit of collaborative technologies based on unit cost, compatibility, interoperability, commitment, and the social/behavioral changes necessary to implement systems (3) the difficulty of merely translating individual performance to group performance metrics.