Article: Digital support for net-based teamwork in early design stages Journal: Journal of Design Research (JDR) 2007 Vol.6 No.1/2 pp.150 - 168 Abstract: The early stages of the Product Development Process are the most important ones. Decisions made here affect the success of a new product. Owing to the complexity of products, a multidisciplinary knowledge is required. In the globalised world, the company|s internal and external experts are spread all over the world. Time and cost pressure impedes teamwork with personal attendance. As a result, personal meetings are strictly limited and teamwork is often reduced to e-mail or phone communication, combined with shared document repositories. Especially for these early stages in product development, there is no suitable support by means of Information Technology. Creativity methods like brainstorming have been shown to be valuable in this phase. But in order to support them, it is very important not to influence the user|s creativity by handling an intricate computer system. Thus, we introduce a system which allows a net-based collaboration that goes far beyond today|s existing technology. In addition to typical audio and video communication, intuitive interfaces like pencils or erasers allow users to work simultaneously on a shared digital workspace. Therefore, the system supports not only net-based collaboration, but also co-located teams to perform team sessions in the early stages on an intuitive digital basis. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Digital support for net-based teamwork in early design stages

Authors: Christoph Ganser, Thomas Kennel, Andreas Kunz

Addresses: Innovation Centre Virtual Reality, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. ' Innovation Centre Virtual Reality, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. ' Innovation Centre Virtual Reality, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland

Abstract: The early stages of the Product Development Process are the most important ones. Decisions made here affect the success of a new product. Owing to the complexity of products, a multidisciplinary knowledge is required. In the globalised world, the company|s internal and external experts are spread all over the world. Time and cost pressure impedes teamwork with personal attendance. As a result, personal meetings are strictly limited and teamwork is often reduced to e-mail or phone communication, combined with shared document repositories. Especially for these early stages in product development, there is no suitable support by means of Information Technology. Creativity methods like brainstorming have been shown to be valuable in this phase. But in order to support them, it is very important not to influence the user|s creativity by handling an intricate computer system. Thus, we introduce a system which allows a net-based collaboration that goes far beyond today|s existing technology. In addition to typical audio and video communication, intuitive interfaces like pencils or erasers allow users to work simultaneously on a shared digital workspace. Therefore, the system supports not only net-based collaboration, but also co-located teams to perform team sessions in the early stages on an intuitive digital basis.

Keywords: design collaboration; creativity sessions; digital workspace; net-based teams; early design stages; design process; design research; product development; product design; design teams; teamwork; co-location.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2007.015567

Journal of Design Research, 2007 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.150 - 168

Published online: 29 Oct 2007 *

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Title: Digital support for net-based teamwork in early design stages

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