Integrating Contexts to Support Coordination: The CHAOS Project

Abstract

The paper reports on the outcomes of the CHAOS project whose aim was the development of a computer-based tool for coordinating activities not organized in a structured flow of work. In CHAOS coordination is achieved by negotiating commitments within conversations. The paper illustrates the conceptual foundation on which the prototype is based and its main functionalities. The latter are organized into four logical modules that are responsible of the management of the information concerning the communication, operation, organization and linguistic contexts, respectively, in which the communication occurs. The paper presents achievements and limits of the project and positions its aims and outcomes in relation to the recent debate about the Coordinator.