Using Patterns To Empower End-Users - The Oregon Software Development Process For Groupware

Fostering interaction between end-users and developers is one of the most important issues when developing groupware. Insufficient interaction leads to groupware systems that do not fulfill the group's requirements and thus to low acceptance. Furthermore, as group processes change dynamically the requirements are not static as well. Groupware system development and use, therefore, have to address users' changing needs. Current design methodologies insufficiently focus on this aspect. Therefore, we propose the Oregon Software Development Process (OSDP) that fosters end-user participation throughout the whole groupware life cycle, structures the interaction between end-users and developers, and emphasizes the use of a shared language between users and developers. We illustrate the application of the process with experiences made in an interdisciplinary development project of a collaborative learning platform.