Web-based computer-mediated communication: an experimental investigation comparing three communication modes for determining software requirements

This experiment is the third in a series of empirical studies designed to explore the effectiveness of various modes of communication for groups working on determining software requirements. The study focuses on the effectiveness of matching communication media to stages of group work. Three modes of communication are compared: (1) face-to-face; (2) Web-based asynchronous computer conferencing; and (3) combined-a sequence of FtF, Web-based asynchronous computer conferencing, and FtF communication. Teams of graduate students determined the requirements for a computerized post office as a course assignment, over a two-week time period. Concerning creativity, asynchronous groups outperformed combined groups who, in turn, outperformed face-to-face groups. Combined groups produced higher quality solutions than face-to-face groups. There were no significant differences for quality between the combined and asynchronous groups