Computer supported cooperative work environment for multiple spatially distributed groups: a case study

An integrated environment for computer supported cooperative work environment (CSCWE) has been developed to assist in the process of consensus building across multiple spatially distributed groups. The processes supported by this environment include elicitation of user/stakeholder inputs, collection of this information for analysis through clustering these statements, ranking of the small group outputs, and the presentation of this integrated, multiple group output. The authors describe the four aspects of the process related to collection, clustering, ranking, and presentation of small group outputs, with emphasis on analysis through use of clustering techniques. A case study in which the CSCWE was used to elicit requirements information that was subjected to analysis by clustering the outputs from multiple spatially distributed groups is presented. Evidence that consensus building across multiple spatially distributed groups can be significantly assisted by the analysis through clustering support provided by the CSCWE with minimal human intervention is given