collaborative computing technologies: group support systems
Post on 31-Dec-2015
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Learning Objectives
Understand concepts and fundamentals of groupwork, communications, and collaboration.
Examine how computer systems enhance communication and collaboration.
Understand the principles and capabilities of GSS. Explore the concepts of time/place frameworks. Learn how GSS interplays with the concepts of process
gain and loss, and task gain and loss. Understand the fundamentals of electronic meetings. Examine GSS’ three technologies. Learn how the Web enables GSS, electronic meetings,
and collaborative computing. Explain hoe distance learning is enabled by GSS. Show how GSS enhances creativity.
Collaborative Design at Boeing-Rocketdyne
Problem Drive the cost of rocket engine down 95% Get the engine to market 10 time faster Require radical new design, significant creativity, and unusual
innovation Solution
Created expert team from business partner Used collaborative technology
Internal Notebook : Members could access the software securely from anywhere. Could create, comment on, reference-link, search, and short-entries also use electronic whiteboard that allowed multiple team members near-instance access.
Cont……….
Collaborative Design at Boeing-Rocketdyne
Solution Project Vault : A software allowed secured common file
storage and transfer of these files on as-needed basis. Software tools and protocol were modified and allowed
which allowed face-to-face meeting, content was posted online for group sharing.
Major tools used to support the lengthy virtual meetings by teleconferencing and videoconferencing.
Used powerful desktop analysis software to analyse designs during the meeting, so results could be discussed in real-time and evaluted through brainstorming.
Collaborative Design at Boeing-Rocketdyne
ResultDesigned a product made of 6 parts instead of
normal 1200Cost $0.5 million from $14 millionQuality level 9 sigma from 2-6 sigmaTeam did all this in 10 months instead of 6 yearsProduction cost $47,000 instead of $4.5 million
and with more than a 5 percent reduction in total engineering hours.
Making decisions in Groups :Characteristics Groupwork
Work done by two or more people together. Members can be located in different places
and work at different times Information may be located external to the
project Allows for rapid solutions May exhibit normal team problems of synergy
or conflict Often Internet based Groupware tools support groupwork Work called computer-supported cooperative
work
Group Decision-Making Process
Even in hierarchical organizations, decision making is usually a shared process. The following activities and process characterize meetings: The decision situation is important, so it is advisable to
make it in a group in a meeting Joint activity Outcome of the meeting depends partly on the knowledge,
opinions, judgement and composition of its participants. Differences in opinion are settled either by the ranking
person, or through negotiation or arbitration. They can be virtual team May be beneficial or dissatisfaction
Benefits and limitation of group work
Process gains are the benefit of working in group
It provides learning. Groups are better than individuals at understanding problems
People readily take ownership and responsibility Group members have their egos embedded in the decision Groups are better than individuals at catching errors A group has more information A group may produce synergy Working in group may stimulate the creativity A group may have better and more precise communication working
together Risk propensity is balanced
Benefits and limitation of group work
Dysfunction may occur Process loss Social pressure of conformity may result in groupthink It’s a time consuming, slow process, costly There can be lack of coordination of the meeting and
poor meeting planning Inappropriate influence Some members may afraid to speak up Can be compromised solutions of poor quality Too much information Incomplete, incorrect and inappropriate
Improving the meeting Process Researchers have developed methods
for improving the process of group work; that is, increasing some of the benefits of meeting and eliminating of reducing some of the losses. Two representative methods Delphi method : is a qualitative forecasting
methodology that uses anonymous questionnaires. Nominal group thinking : is a simple
brainstorming process for non-electronic meeting.
Qualitative Methods of Forecasting HR Demand or Supply
•A group of experts exchanges several rounds of estimates of HR demand or supply, normally without meeting face to face. Feedback from other experts is used by each individual to “fine-tune” his or her independent estimate.
•A small group of experts meets face to face. After a procedure that involves open discussion and private assessments, the group reaches a judgment concerning future HR demand or supply.
•Can involve key decision makers in process.
•Can focus on what is expected or desired in future.
•Not bound to the past.
•Same as for Delphi technique.
•Group discussions can facilitate exchange of ideas and greater acceptance of results by participants.
•Highly subjective.
• Judgments may not efficiently use objective data.
•Same as for Delphi technique.
•Group pressure may lead to less accurate assessments that could be obtained through other means.
Method Description Advantages Disadvantages
Delphi technique
Delphi
NGTNominal group technique
Supporting group-work with computerized systems Almost all dynamic organizations using some
computer-based communication and collaboration methods and tools to support people working in teams or group.
An overview of GSS
Common group activities with computer assistance Information retrieval Information sharing Information use
Support participants Improve productivity and effectiveness of meetings
More efficient decision-making Increase effectiveness of decisions
Computers have been used for several decades to facilitate group-work and group decision making, lately, collaborative tools have received even greater attention due to their increased capabilities and ability to save money.
Groupware
Software providing collaborative support to groups Different time/place applications Most use Internet technologies Most offer one or more capabilities
Electronic brainstorming Free flow of ideas and comments
Electronic conferencing or videoconferencing Group scheduling and calendars Conflict resolution Model building Electronic document sharing Voting services
Electronic meeting services also available Enterprise-wide systems expensive in cost and human
resources
Popular Groupware
Groupware products provides a way for group to share resources and opinions. Groupware implies the use of networks to connect people. Lotus Notes/Domino Microsoft Netmeeting Groove Workspace GroupSystems MeetingRoom and OnLine WebEx
Time/Place Communication Framework
Effectiveness of collaborative group depends on Time
synchronous or asynchronous transmission of information
Place location of
participants
Benefits and Problems
Benefits of groupwork Process gains
Nominal group technique Delphi method
Technology applied as GSS Hardware and software combined to enhance
group Collaborative computing
Problems in groupwork Process losses inefficient
GSS Technology Deployment Special purpose decision room
Electronic meeting rooms Software operates across LAN Allowed for face-to-face meetings Trained facilitator coordinates meeting Group leader structures meeting with facilitator
Multiple use facility General purpose computer lab Effective way to lower costs Trained facilitator coordinates meeting Group leader structures meeting with facilitator
Web-based groupware with clients Anytime/anyplace meetings with deadlines
established Software bought or leased No facility costs Flexible
Tools for indirect support of Decision MakingA large number of tools and methodologies are available to facilitate e-collaboration, communication, and decision support. Synchronous Products: communication and
collaboration are done in real-time. IM VoIP
Asynchronous Products : communication and collaboration done by the participants at different times.
E-mail Wikilogs Online workplace
Cont…
Tools for indirect support of Decision Making
Virtual Meeting Systems : The advancement of web systems opens the door for improved , electronically supported virtual meetings. VM are supported by a variety of groupware tools.
Electronic TeleconferencingVideo conferencingWeb conferencingInteractive whiteboardsScreen sharingInstant video
GSS Meeting Process
Group leader meets with facilitator to plan meeting structure.
Participants meet on computers. Group leader or facilitator poses question. Participants brainstorm by entering comments into
computer. Facilitator employs idea organization software to
sort comments into common themes. Results are displayed. Facilitator or group leader leads discussion. Themes are prioritized. Highest priority topics are either sent through the
process again for further discussion or a vote is taken.
GSS Meeting Process
Standard Process Exploratory idea generation Idea organization tool Prioritization New idea generation Selection of final idea
Success based upon effectiveness, reduction in costs, better decisions, increased productivity
GSS and Distance Education
Classroom collaborative computing advantages Brainstorming, chat, discussion boards Distribution of information, lectures
Publishes to course site Videoconferenced Consistent materials
Textbooks can be bound or electronic E-mails and listservs
One-on-one interaction Allows for global classrooms Anytime/anyplace with fixed deadlines
Flexible time frame Doesn’t interfere with work shift
Low delivery costs with large audiences
GSS and Distance Education, continued
Disadvantages: Fewer social interactions Communication problems Students must be self-starters and highly disciplined Classes require major technical and administrative support Technical infrastructure must be reliable Courses may need to be redesigned for online Special training
Corporate training online: Allows anytime/anyplace training Lowers costs Decreases time away from jobs Shortens learning process Delivered via Intranet, intranets, extranets, audio and
video conferencing
Creativity Support System
Creativity Fundamental human trait Level of achievement Can be learned
Organizations recognize value in innovation Stimulated by electronic brainstorming software
Free flow idea generation Creative computer programs
Smartbots function as facilitators Identify analogies in letter patterns Draw art Write poems
Computer programs stimulate human productivity
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