Jeff Conklin
Michael L. Begeman
Abstract
This paper describes an application-specific hypertext system designed to facilitate the capture of early design deliberations. It implements a specific method, called Issue Based Information Systems (IBIS), which has been developed for use on large, complex design problems. The hypertext system described here, gIBIS (for graphical IBIS), makes use of color and a high-speed relational database server to facilitate building and browsing typed IBIS networks. Further, gIBIS is designed to support the collaborative construction of these networks by any number of cooperating team members spread across a local area network. Early experiments suggest that the IBIS method is still incomplete, but there is a good match between the tool and method even in this experimental version.
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Index Terms
- gIBIS: a hypertext tool for exploratory policy discussion
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gIBIS: a hypertext tool for exploratory policy discussion
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Reviews
Ben Shneiderman
Computers have been most successfully employed to deal with well-structured problems in which inputs and outputs can be clearly specified and related. Over the years, however, interest has increased regarding the application of computers to unstructured problems such as complex decision making, collaboration among groups, and even conflict. This excellent paper describes a fascinating project that implemented a design process, Issue Based Information Systems, within a graphics system, gIBIS. The system records a design discussion by using nine kinds of links to connect issues, positions, and arguments. The graphic display of fragments enables users to recognize the current state of the discussion and make useful contributions. This paper described the concepts behind gIBIS, the implementation of the specialized hypertext system, and user interface issues such as the browser, node indexes, color, and search and query facilities. The system was used by 33 issue groups; these groups produces 2094 nodes and 2214 links in the first year of use. The authors are careful with their enthusiasm and open enough to provide thoughtful criticism of their efforts, but gIBIS was clearly a successful prototype and we should expect to see more of it. In summary, this fine paper starts with an interesting concept, describes a real implementation, reports on actual usage, and makes thoughtful suggestions for the future.
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