Types of Group Work:
A Decision Matrix
Bill Harris
Facilitated Systems
http://facilitatedsystems.com
September 9, 2000
c Facilitated Systems 2000
http://facilitatedsystems.com/matrix.pdf September 9, 2000
Types of group work
Synchronous Asynchronous
Live meetings “War rooms”
Collocated
NetMeeting Web discussions
Webcasts Mailing lists
Distributed Text chat Email
Phone Document sharing
Videoconferences
c Facilitated Systems 2000 1
http://facilitatedsystems.com/matrix.pdf September 9, 2000
A decision-making matrix
Synchronous Asynchronous
Results in hours or less Massive physical material
Limited info transfer rate People not available simultaneously
Collocated Everyone already together Complex issues
Non-technical audience
Joint physical activity
Results in hours or less Complex issues
Limited info transfer rate Multiple, parallel issues
Distributed People distributed Maximize group throughput
Lowered costs
Time zone issues
Group work without interruptions
c Facilitated Systems 2000 2