CSCW '96 Call for Papers
Workshop on Strategies for Collaborative Modeling and Simulation
1996 Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
Boston, Massachusetts, USA -- November 16, 1996
We are inviting submissions of position papers for a workshop on
Strategies for Collaborative Modeling and Simulation, to be held at
the 1996 Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work. The
workshop will focus on improving collaboration between technical
specialists in computer-supported modeling methods and subject
matter experts in the domains being modeled.
Workshop Description
Computer-supported modeling and simulation approaches of many kinds
are becoming increasingly important to teams charged with
understanding business processes and developing system or process
solutions. Modeling approaches used with cross-functional teams
include discrete event simulations, system dynamics, action
workflow, process modeling methods such as IDEF, object-oriented
modeling, knowledge modeling, and others. A major issue with such
efforts is the gap between specialists who are deeply familiar with
the modeling tools in use, and team members who have little or no
such background, but are deeply engaged in and knowledgeable about
the subject matter of the modeling effort (such as a business
process redesign or an organizational change project).
This workshop will explore methods of increasing the quality and
depth of collaboration in such modeling efforts. The workshop will
focus on the "soft" issues of modeling, such as participation,
development of shared understanding, and usability of tools and
approaches, rather than "hard" aspects such as model validity,
quantitative methods, and computational issues. The goal of the
workshop is to collect experiences and develop strategies to improve
modeling and simulation by teams.
An area of special interest is enabling teams of workers who are not
schooled in analytical methods and modeling approaches to
participate effectively in modeling and simulation efforts. While
they offer rigor, clarity, and manageability, many approaches to
modeling and simulation require non-specialists to learn arcane
symbols or terminology as a precondition for modeling. Such
approaches can be found in process analysis, object-oriented
analysis, systems analysis, and other structured analysis methods.
Workshop participants will review case studies, theoretical
frameworks, tools and techniques and identify key directions for
further research. Participants will report on their experiences and
share current thinking on strategies, tools, and techniques that can
enable teams to build, understand, and apply computer-supported
models and simulations.
Position Paper Submissions
The workshop will be limited to fifteen participants. Position
papers should describe an approach to the problem of enabling
cross-functional teams to collaborate effectively in building,
understanding, and applying models and simulations. The papers
should be based on real-world experience that the authors have
gained in collaborative modeling and simulation, and should contain
a description of the context and type of participants in the
experience. Manuscripts should be three to five (no more than five)
single-spaced pages (preferably two columns) in length.
The papers will be reviewed by the organizers and selected for their
insight into the workshop topic and the diversity of viewpoints,
types of experience, types of modeling and simulation approaches,
and topics presented.
Suggested Topics
- Experiences or case studies of using modeling techniques with a
team of designers and analysts that include non-specialists in
modeling, such as end users or workers in an organization
- Theoretical frameworks for modeling or facilitation frameworks
that enable non-specialists to participate in a modeling effort
- Descriptions of modeling or facilitation techniques that address
the "soft" issues of modeling and simulation
Who Should Participate
People desiring to improve ways of enabling cross-functional teams
to use modeling approaches to system development. This can include
facilitators, researchers, systems designers and analysts, managers
of BPR or system development efforts, modelers, and tool developers.
People with direct experience of leading or facilitating
collaborative modeling and simulation efforts are especially
encouraged to submit a paper.
Important Dates
Submissions Due: September 6, 1996
Notification of Acceptance: September 27, 1996
CSCW Early Registration Deadline: October 10, 1996
Workshop Date: November 16, 1996
For More Information
See the CSCW conference web site at
http://www.acm.org/sigchi/cscw96, or contact the organizers at the
address below.
--Organizers
Albert M. Selvin and Maarten Sierhuis NYNEX Science & Technology, Inc. White Plains, NY 10604 USA (914) 644-2156 selvin@nynexst.com sierhuis@nynexst.com
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