report on a development project use of an issue-based information system
It has long been recognized that certain kinds of vital information  usually informal and unstructured, often having to do with why certain actions are taken  are usually lost in large projects. One explanation may be that this kind of information, while important, is too unstructured to be readily captured and retrieved. We report on a field study in which a simple structuring method (IBIS, for Issue-Based Information System) was used over an extended period of time to record and allow retrieval of a significant quantity of precisely this kind of information, using very simple technology. We draw some implications for hypertext and GroupWare, and for the prospect of supporting the design process with technology.
developer project use information system informal structure action explanation retrieval field studies method timing records technologies drawing hypertext groupware design process