Edward A. Stohr

RMM: a methodology for structured hypermedia design

Hypermedia application design di ers from other software design in that it involves navigation as well as user-interface and information processing issues. We present the Relationship Management Data model (RMDM) and the Relationship Management (RMM) methodology for the design and development of hypermedia applications. The seven steps of the methodology lend themselves to computer support, paving the way for a computerized environment to support the design and development of hypermedia applications. This article focuses on design activities, which are addressed within the rst three steps of the methodology.

Workflow Automation: Overview and Research Issues

Workflow management systems, a relatively recent technology, are designed to make work more efficient, integrate heterogeneous application systems, and support interorganizational processes in electronic commerce applications. In this paper, we introduce the field of workflow automation, the subject of this special issue of Information Systems Frontiers. In the first part of the paper, we provide basic definitions and frameworks to aid understanding of workflow management technologies. In the remainder of the paper, we discuss technical and management research opportunities in this field and discuss the other contributions to the special issue.

Toward Virtual Community Knowledge Evolution

This paper puts forth a vision and an architecture for a community knowledge evolution system. We propose augmenting a multimedia document repository (digital library) with innovative knowledge evolution support, including computer-mediated communications, community process support, decision support, advanced hypermedia features, and conceptual knowledge structures. These tools, and the techniques developed around them, would enable members of a virtual community to learn from, contribute to, and collectively build upon the communitys knowledge and improve many member tasks. The resulting Collaborative Knowledge Evolution Support System (CKESS) would provide an enhanced digital library infrastructure serving as an ever-evolving repository of the communitys knowledge, which members would actively use in everyday tasks and regularly update.

Software reuse: survey and research directions

Software reuse is the use of software resources from all stages of the software development process in new applications. Given the high cost and difficulty of developing high-quality software, the idea of capitalizing on previous software investments is appealing. However, software reuse has not been as effective as expected and has not been very broadly or systematically used in industry. This paper surveys recent software-reuse research using a framework that helps identify and organize the many factors that must be considered to achieve the benefits of software reuse in practice. We argue that software reuse needs to be viewed in the context of a total systems approach that addresses a broad range of technical, economic, managerial, organizational, and legal issues and conclude with a summary of the major research issues in each of these areas.

A Field Evaluation of Natural Language for Data Retrieval

Although a large number of natural language database interfaces have been developed, there have been few empirical studies of their practical usefulness. This paper presents the design and results of a field evaluation of a natural language system-NLS-used for data retrieval.

Business Intelligence and Analytics Education, and Program Development: A Unique Opportunity for the Information Systems Discipline

“Big Data,” huge volumes of data in both structured and unstructured forms generated by the Internet, social media, and computerized transactions, is straining our technical capacity to manage it. More importantly, the new challenge is to develop the capability to understand and interpret the burgeoning volume of data to take advantage of the opportunities it provides in many human endeavors, ranging from science to business. Data Science, and in business schools, Business Intelligence and Analytics (BI&A) are emerging disciplines that seek to address the demands of this new era. Big Data and BI&A present unique challenges and opportunities not only for the research community, but also for Information Systems (IS) programs at business schools. In this essay, we provide a brief overview of BI&A, speculate on the role of BI&A education in business schools, present the challenges facing IS departments, and discuss the role of IS curricula and program development, in delivering BI&A education. We contend that a new vision for the IS discipline should address these challenges.

A graphics interface for linear programming

We describe the interface to a software system that assists users in the process of formulating linear programming models. The main idea is to introduce a new representation that allows modelers to depict their problems in a graphical rather than mathematical form. This representation is described in detail together with a number of other interface design principles that we believe will aid modelers—including hierarchical decomposition, multiple model representations, alternative formulation approaches, the use of model templates, and database and model management facilities. These features are illustrated using the output of a prototype system formulating a realistic LP problem.

Critical Chain: A New Project Management Paradigm or Old Wine in New Bottles?

Abstract: In this paper we analyze the Critical Chain (CC) approach to managing projects. Is CC as some authors assert, one of the most important breakthrough for project management since the introduction of the Critical Path concept (CP) or does CC merely consist of known concepts presented in a different way? Our discourse compares systematically CC and CPM on three conceptual levels to reveal the differences between the two approaches. We conclude that the philosophy behind the CP and CC approaches is remarkably different resulting in a different mindset for managers and a different set of management practices. The main difference is the application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) in the CC case. As a result, CC focuses at improving the systems performance by laying out specific policies many of which are focused on resource management especially in multiproject environments that are not explicitly addressed by CP. We conclude that while the application of CC is complex, many of its ideas can be easily adapted by practicing managers.

Designing a Generalized Multiple Criteria Decision Support System

Decision support systems are of many kinds depending on themodels and techniques employed in them. Multiple criteriadecision making techniques constitute an important class of DSSwith unique software requirements. This paper stresses theimportance of interactive MCDM methods since these facilitatelearning through all stages of the decision making process. Wefirst describe some features of Multiple Criteria Decision SupportSystems ( MCDSSs) that distinguish them from classical DSSs. Wethen outline a software architecture for a MCDSS which has threebasic components: a Dialog Manager, an MCDM Model Manager, and aData Manager. We describe the interactions that occur betweenthese three software components in an integrated MCDSS and outlinea design for the Data Manager which is based on a concept oflevels of data abstraction.

MSIS 2006: model curriculum and guidelines for graduate degree programs in information systems

This article presents the MSIS 2006 Model Curriculum and Guidelines for Graduate Degree Programs in Information Systems. As with MSIS 2000 and its predecessors, the objective is to create a model for schools designing or revising an MS curriculum in Information Systems. The curriculum was designed by a joint committee of the Association for Information Systems and the Association for Computing Machinery.MSIS2006 is a major update of MSIS 2000. Features include increasing the number of required courses from 10 to 12 while revising prerequisites, introducing new courses and revising existing courses to modernize the curriculum, and alternatives for phased upgrading from MSIS2000 to MSIS 2006.As with the previous curriculum, it is the product of detailed consultation with the IS community. The curriculum received the endorsement of 8 major IS professional groups.