Requirements for Distributed Work Support Systems

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of research which developed a general model of Distributed Work Support Systems (DWSS)--computer based tools that enable geographically dispersed groups and teams to communicate, coordinate, and otherwise work together on complex problems. The model developed was intended to be one that could be used 1) to evaluate currently available DWSS, as well as 2) to point the way towards development of better DWSS. The development of a general model involved investigation of three principal areas. The three areas were:Organizational Study, Human Capabilities Study, and Available Technology Assessment. The general model was put together by integrating information from these three studies. The model is composed of a series of requirements for a DWSS tool. The requirements are often broad in nature because this is a general model for a DWSS.Under development are a set of prototype tool requirement to aid groups in performing systems oriented work.. This paper presents an overview and examples of the requirements identified thus far.