Computer-supported collaboration in production management: an incremental formalisation approach

Abstract

The management of modern production/operations function is characterised by a general consensus regarding the multi-level nature of capabilities required. These capabilities are the result of decisions and actions that constitute collaboration practice, with associated discourses at the operational, improvement and strategic levels. Although, participative decision making and action within the boundaries of level specific discourses can be accomplished without great difficulty, crossing the boundaries of discourses for achieving consistency in operations is frequently hindered by geographic and cognitive distance, information overload and asymmetries. The above bring up the need for innovative software tools that shift the focus from the collection and representation of information to its meaningful assessment and utilisation. Arguing that a varying level of formality needs to be offered in systems supporting collaborative production management, this paper proposes an incremental formalisation approach that has been adopted in the development of an innovative web-based tool.