From: eyu@hamlet.umd.edu (Ellen Yu)
Newsgroups: comp.groupware
Subject: Re: Need software for brainstorming and problem solving.
Keywords: brainstorming
Date: 15 Oct 92 13:40:48 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park

In article <1992Oct14.221746.2541@news.arc.nasa.gov> lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov (Hugh LaMaster -- RCS) writes:
>
>Another package I have heard mention of is:
>
>VisionQuest from CTC
>
>Does anyone know about/has anyone used this product, and, if so, 
>what do they think of it?
>

We use VisionQuest from CTC here at the University of Maryland.  We've used
parts of it in an academic setting and we've used it alot for decision
making.  I find it to be very flexible.  There are 9 tools and I will try
to briefly describe their capability:

    brainwriting 
      provides brainstorming capability.  everyone basically can "talk"
      at the same time by typing in their answers.  A collective group
      list is displayed in realtime.  Part of each participant's screen
      is their "private" area to type and the other part reflects the
      groups answers.   
    comment cards 
      This tool is similar to brainwriting except that you provide topics
      and then allow the participants to comment on them.  This is a good
      tool for getting feedback on things or gathering opinions.
    subgroup 
      This tool allows you to define the number of items you can pick from
      a list.  You define their significance (most important, most significant,
      worst, etc.)
    point allocation
      You define the maximum number of "widgets" that can be allocated and
      the participants allocate those among the given alternatives.  This
      can be used as $ in a budgeting exercise (as an example).
    scoring
      This is a multi-criteria tool.  You define the criteria and weighting
      and then the participants score (the scale is defined by you) based
      on these criteria.  The score is then normalized.
    voting
      This is a yes, no, abstain tool.  You get a count of number of yes, 
      number of no, and the number of abstain.
    rating
      The participants rate all alternatives listed in this tool.  You
      set the rating scale and what it signifies.  Group average is
      displayed.
    ranking
      You rank a list by physically moving items around in the list.
    compactor 
      You set up categories and each participant puts each alternative
      in the category they feel it belongs in.  You get a frequency count
      of how many people put each item in each category.

This is my attempt to describe the tools (I did not go and dig out the
manual and type what it says in the manual).  

One of the most important features of this tool is that all input is ANONYMOUS.

All the input from one tool can be imported (with various filter capabilities)
to another exercise.  All the people I've had use it love the tool.  It
handles the anytime, anyplace scenario although we use it mostly in the
same time, same place scenario.

Yes, there are some things I don't like about it (in regards to the 
user interface), but I must say the company has listened to our comments
and are working on changes.  The basic functionality that this tool
provides is great.

It runs in DOS right now (or in a DOS session in Windows).  They are currently
working on a Windows version.

This is a hard tool to try and describe (any groupware tool usually is).
You have to really "experience" it in order to understand how it works.

If you want more information on the product, you can call CTC at
(512) 794-8858.  

No - I do not work for CTC - I'm just a satisfied customer.

I'd be happy to correspond through email in more detail with anyone who has 
specific questions about VisionQuest.

Ellen

-- 
    Ellen Yu, AT&T Teaching Theater         Phone: (301) 403-4623 office
    Computer Science Center, Univ. of MD           (301) 403-4628 Fax
    4321 Hartwick Rd., Suite 500            Internet: eyu@umd5.umd.edu
    College Park, MD  20740                 Compuserve: 71641,1764