Dialog Mapping: Reflections on an Industrial Strength Case Study

Earlier chapters have introduced the notion of “wicked problems” and the Issue Based Information System (IBIS) framework (Buckingham Shum, Chapter 1, van Bruggen Chapter 2), both of which derive from the work of Horst Rittel. Selvin (Chapter 7) proposes a generic framework for facilitated Computer Supported Argument Visualization (CSAV), and reports on case studies using the IBIS-based Compendium approach. Compendium itself is based on a facilitated CSAV approach called Dialog Mapping, the focus of this chapter. We begin by elaborating on the art and process of Dialog Mapping, before reporting on a particular business application, probably the longest-term case study available of CSAV adoption in an organization