Moments of support by a groupware brainstorming tool in handling complex technical policy problems

The article discusses the use of the groupware Group Systems V as a support tool of some moments in the problem handling process of complex technical policy problems. The discussion is based on four years of experience in using a groupware brainstorming tool at Delft University of Technology on real life problem handling, and reflects the support that is given in half-day workshops for boards of directors of companies, high ranked employees of companies and of the government. The different roles of the persons in the workshop, such as the problem owner, the problem handler, the content expert, the facilitator and the participants, and the kind of problems that are supported are discussed. In detail, the preparation of the workshop and the actual activities in the workshop are described. The article alternates reflections from experience with theoretical reflections. The article is written to give researchers, problem handlers and participants of complex technical policy problems an idea how groupware can be used, what its advantages are and what its limitations are. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.