Key issues in the design of an asynchronous system to support meeting preparation

A review is made of the most important decisions in the design of asynchron ous systems to support the preparation of business decision meetings. These decisions are illustrated with the choices made for the development of SIS CO, a system of this type. The presentation considers issues in the discuss ion model, the group memory, the communication and visualization mechanisms , and the development of a meeting preparation sequence: how to start a ses sion, carry it out and close it. Issues concerning coordination, participat ion and awareness in meeting preparation sessions are also discussed. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.