Five easy pieces: reframing the design of office systems

Abstract

Problems with the use of office computer systems may often be traced back to the designers' narrow view or understanding of off ice work. Neither office work nor design of office systems should be done solely according to formulas. Precedent and comparison play just as important a role. Accordingly, we do not present a set of guidelines for design but five pieces, or exercises, which stimulate seeing the design issues differently. We use metaphors to interpret computer use. Using the dichotomous ideas of description and interpretation, similarity and difference, planned action and situated action, group discussion and individual problem‐solving, and authoritative knowledge and shared knowledge, we hope to set in motion a dialectical reframing process.