Peter H. Carstensen

From the social to the systematic

Large design and manufacturing projects are conducted in elaborate settings. Interdependent specialists work together, building complex systems. A substantial part of their daily work concerns the coordination of distributed work. This paper reports from a field study at Foss Electric, a Danish manufacturing company, where the development of an instrument for testing the quality of raw milk was studied. Scheduled and informal project meetings together with paper-based coordination systems were the primary means of managing the complexity of coordinating work within the project. This paper investigates the origination, use, and function of these coordination mechanisms applying a Coordination Mechanism perspective (Schmidt and Simone, 1996). We argue that the complexity of coordinating distributed work in large design projects result in the adoption of coordination systems. These systems formalize aspects of coordination work through artifacts, procedures for use and conventions.

Characterizing modes of coordination: a comparison between oral and artifact based coordination

The choice of communicative modality will greatly affect the way cooperative work is coordinated. Computer supported coordination brings about changes to communicative modalities-often the change is from oral to artifact based coordination. In order to inform the designed changes in modality we need to understand the characteristics of individual modes of coordination, and we need to compare modes before changes are implemented. Within this context the paper has two objectives: (1) to characterize oral and artifact based coordination, and (2) to establish an initial set of dimensions which will support a comparison between the two modes of coordination. The basis for both points is empirical: a field study of oral coordination in maritime operations, and a study of artifact based coordination in software engineering.

Means of Coordination

The coordination of complex cooperative work is an intricate matter that can impose a sever workload on the cooperating actors—so much so, in fact, that the magnitude of coordination work can become a general obstruction to work effectiveness, flexibility, or even safety. Therefore, systems for computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) are often engaged as a means of reducing the workload of the coordination activities. In order to arrive at a design that reduces the magnitude of coordination work, some of the coordination formerly performed manually by the cooperative actors will be made part of the CSCW system; that is, certain coordination functions will be supported or even fully automated by the computer system. Workflow systems could, for example, be considered a system that reduces the coordination workload by implementing a pre-specified protocol for the routing of information, and, by providing structured forms, telling the user what information he is expected to enter, etc. In order to establish a basis for designing such systems we need a coherent conceptual understanding of the coordination work conducted.

Supporting shop floor intelligence: a CSCW approach to production planning and control in flexible manufacturing

Many manufacturing enterprises are now trying to introduce various forms of flexible work organizations on the shop floor. However, existing computer-based production planning and control systems pose severe obstacles for autonomous working groups and other kinds of shop floor control to become reality. The research reported in this paper is predicated on the belief that the CSCW approach could offer a strategy for dealing with this problem. The paper describes the field work and its constructive outcome: a system that assists shop-floor teams in dealing with the complexities of day-to-day production planning by supporting intelligent and responsible workers in their situated coordination activities on the shop floor.

Self-Governing Production Groups: Towards Requirements for IT Support

Many manufacturing enterprises are introducing various forms of flexible work organizations on the shop floor. However, existing computer-based production planning and control systems pose serious obstacles for self-governing groups and other kinds of shop floor control to become reality. In order to understand and overcome these obstacles we have undertaken a series of six field studies in manufacturing companies. Based on our findings from these studies — and inspired by the research field of Computer Supported Cooperative Work — we present a first set of requirements and principles for IT-based systems for self-governing production groups. The intention is to support responsible workers in their situated planning, control and coordination of shop floor activities.

New challenges for the collaboration in Web-based information systems development

Web technology is going through major changes, both with respect to types of systems based on Web technology, organization of the development work, required approaches and competencies, etc. We must rethink development methodologies, the ways of organizing the development work, and the tools to support the development. This requires a deeper and coherent understanding of the nature of Web development both in respect of the involved processes and the tools. We present findings from a field study undertaken in a Web development department. We found that Web applications development of today is characterized by the involvement of many expertise groups having problems finding a common ground for their collaboration. We find that these expertise groups have two main challenges: lack of a common approach or methodology and insufficient interoperability, between the techniques and tools used in the development process. We suggest new methodologies, techniques and tools should be redesigned and adjusted to support the collaboration between the different groups involved in Web application development.