In reply to Alex Pattakos question:
> I would like to know more about QuestMaps--what does it allow one to do
> and where can I obtain it.
In the terms of this thread, a QuestMap map is a 2 1/2 dimensional
model of a dialogue or discussion. It is the marriage between an
electronic discussion, such as this one, and a "concept map" (or
"mind map"). QuestMaps are especially useful when the problem is
"wicked" -- that is, you don't really understand the problem until
you've solved it, there are lots of widely divergent stakeholders,
the constraints are evolving, etc.
The maps are 2.5 D because maps can be nested in maps, so you can
dive to arbitrary depth on a problem. The structure of QuestMaps is
based on IBIS (Issue Based Information System) -- in which there are
Questions (the topic and subtopics of the inquiry), Ideas (any
possible responses to the Questions), and arguments Pro and Con the
ideas. This simple method, which was developed by Horst Rittel in
the early 70's, accounts for the vast majority of interactions in the
problem solving conversation.
QuestMap facilitates conversations of the creative sort (planning, design,
problem solving) among a group of stakeholders by representing the
*structure* of the conversation. It allows the participants to visually
see the structure of their interaction as it unfolds. (This is where a
picture is really worth a thousand words; see the screen shots at our WWW
site: http://www.cmsi.com/info). It thus makes a variety of common
dialogue-stopping moves apparent -- and therefore less likely to occur --
including "truth-by-repetition", hand-waving, non-sequiturs, and
tangential issues. Groups that use this approach to facilitating their
meetings find their interactions are more rigorous, more creative and
productive, and much less likely to suffer from the "here we go again"
phenomenon. Groups that use the groupware capabilities of QuestMap -- for
"electronic meetings" -- find they also have the benefit of fewer
face-to-face meetings, better decision making, and an effective project
memory.
Sorry if this sounds like a commercial, but I believe that what we're
doing with QuestMap is different enough from other approaches that it
deserves to be understood. Besides, I created it -- I can't talk about it
without waxing enthusiastic!
Jeff
-- Jeff Conklin, Chief Scientist, Corporate Memory Systems, Inc. 11824 Jollyville Road, Suite 101, Austin, Texas 78759 512 918/8000 Voice 512 918/9600 Fax Email: conklin@cmsi.com WWW: http://www.cmsi.com/info