The next step: User-defined microcomputing facilities

ABSTRACT

Many colleges and universities have already passed through the stage of presenting the campus community with a “general purpose” microcomputing facility. In most cases, this facility is designed by computing professionals and supported by User Services with much the same services as those provided to assist users of mainframe resources. It is time to realize that a “general purpose” facility cannot be expected to meet the unique needs of every user requiring microcomputing resources. In the mainframe environment, it is often necessary to bend user needs to fit the available resource, but in the microcomputing environment, this same approach is neither necessary or advisable.

It is logical that the next stage of campus microcomputing involves facilities specifically designed for a particular group of users. User Services is usually faced with the task of designing, implementing, and supporting these facilities. Considering the complexities of implementing a single microcomputing facility, how can User Services hope to deal effectively with the increasing demands for assistance with the development of these facilities while maintaining reasonable service levels for existing resources?

One answer would be to increase the size of the User Services department, but this is not always a realistic option. At UALR, the problem was approached from a different perspective. The solution adopted is based on two premises: First, User Services personnel are experienced in training users, and, second, user knowledge of microcomputers is becoming more sophisticated.

This paper reports on the development, presentation, and evaluation of a workshop designed to assist users with the design and implementation of their own microcomputing facility. The workshop was attended by representatives of sixteen departments, and each participant developed a project management plan to be administered by the department with only occasional assistance from User Services during the project's active life span. To date, the results of this approach are promising for both the users and User Services.

Index Terms

• Human-centered computing

  • Interaction design

    • Interaction design process and methods

      • User centered design

• Social and professional topics

  • Professional topics

    • Management of computing and information systems

      • Project and people management

        • Project management techniques