E-MAGINE: the development of an evaluation method to assess groupware applications

This paper describes the development of the evaluation method E-MAGINE. The aim of this evaluation method is to support groups to efficiently assess the groupware applications, which fit them best. The method focuses on knowledge sharing groups and follows a modular structure. E-MAGINE is based on the Contingency Perspective in order to structurally characterize groups in their context. Another main building block of the method forms the new ISO-norm for ICT tools, "Quality in Use." The overall method comprises two main phases. The initial phase leads to a first level profile and provides an indication of possible mismatches between group and application. The formulation of this initial profile has the benefit of providing a clear guide for further decisions on what instruments should be applied in the final phase of the evaluation process. It is argued that E-MAGINE fulfills the demand for a more practical and efficient groupware evaluation approach.