A pattern approach for end user centered groupware development

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New network technologies have transformed how people interact and collaborate remotely, yet understanding these interactions remains limited. This thesis explores the development of groupware applications that support networked groups, emphasizing group-specific aspects like formation and maintenance rather than just application-specific tasks. It examines theoretical design approaches, particularly the situatedness of design advocated by philosopher Martin Heidegger and architect Christopher Alexander, highlighting the importance of addressing the group's context. Empowering end-users to articulate their needs within specific situations is deemed essential for effective groupware development. The Oregon Software Development Process introduced in this thesis promotes communication and interaction between developers and end-users throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring user involvement and tailorability. Additionally, groupware patterns are presented as educational tools to empower end-users to act as development experts, detailing how to design social interactions and technical elements within groupware systems. The approach's effectiveness is validated through case studies, including a two-year collaborative learning system project involving six developers and a large user community, as well as three smaller student projects.