Modelling co-operation in the design of knowledge production systems: The MADE IN'COOP method

Abstract

This paper presents the latest developments of the MadeIn 'Coop method for modelling the human-machine and human-human co-operation process, and an application of this method for the design of a more co-operative version of the C 3 I System CHEOPS. We first consider that the design of software systems for organizations is tied more and more to the perspective of ‘compound’ Knowledge Production Systems that link humans and machines engaged in a co-operative problem solving process. After exposing the four principles upon which MadeIn 'Coop rests for modelling co-operation, we present an artificial problem solving dialogue between CHEOPS and its users. Consistent with the ‘ Group Cognitive Processes Theory ’ framework, we propose a dialogue analysis according to two complimentary points of view: the ‘Collective Problem Solving model’, and the ‘Coordination model’. This analysis should help system designers to identify new system functionalities to assist problem solving.