Two Approaches to Group Problem Solving

This “panel session” will seek to explore a) differences in “ways of working” between ‘Group Systems’ and ‘Strategic Options Development and Analysis -SODA’, and b) issues that arise from using a GDSS with a multilingual group. Specifically the exploration will provide conference participants with the opportunity to observe team work in practice for both Group Systems and SODA. These aims will be met by working on a ‘real’ problem of: helping the IFIP 8.3 East-West work group address a specific issue of interest; and doing so in such a way that the process leads to clear deliverables, where possible. Preparatory work with client and participants will take place through Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday and work with the groups will occur on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Following the Group Decision Systems workshops a general review, including report from rapporteurs will be held on Friday 14:00–16:00. The main Client for Group Systems: Bill Mayon-White; and for SODA: George Widmeyer. Each problem solving group will involve eight participants including the client. Group members will be selected by the main clients in relation to the East-West issue. Each group will be observed at close hand by one expert. These observers will have full access to the facilitators during all preparatory work and full observational opportunities during group session. They are not expected to interfere with the process but may discretely wander around the group work room. Both groups will also be observed by two other people during the group session. They will be in the same position as the other observers, but rather will be asked to act as rapporteurs. These will be selected so that one will tend to take a technical/technology/analysis stance and the other a social process stance. The final plenary review session would thus involve a panel of Jay Nunamaker, Doug Vogel, Colin Eden, Fran Ackermann, 2 close observers, and the 2 general observers.