Conduct Joint Application Design Sessions

Expedites investigation of system requirements

JAD is a technique to define system requirements in a single session by
having all the necessary people participating together
Compare: Normal interview and discussion approach takes a lots of time and
effort (meet with users, document the discussion, build models, review and
revise them, place unresolved issues on an open-items list all of those on
iterative basis!)- May require many meetings (months)
JAD idea is to compress all these activities into a shorter series of meetings
with users and team members (An individual JAD session may last from a day
to a week)
Critical factor is to have all important stakeholders present
Joint Application Design Participants
JAD session leader

Trained in group dynamics and facilitating group discussion

Must ensure agenda and objectives are met

Often system analyst appointed as leader but better if someone

actually trained to lead group decision making

May not be the expert in the business area though

Users

Managers are good to have at the meeting since important decisions

have to be made

If executives cannot be at the meeting, they at least should be

contactable (or visit once a day)

Technical staf

A representative from the technical support group should be present

(e.g. for info. regarding networks, operating environments etc.)

Project team members

System analysts

User experts

Assist in discussion, clarify points, build models and document the

results

Members of the project team are the experts on ensuring the

objectives are met

Joint Application Design Facilities

Conducted in special room

Limit interruptions

May be off-site

Resources

Overhead projector, white board, flip charts, work material

Electronic support (laptops)

CASE tools

Group support systems (GSS)

A JAD Facility

Group Support Systems (GSSs)

System that enables multiple people to participate with comments at the
same time, each on his or her computer
Allows for sharing of information and collaborative work
Runs on networked computers
Can include chat features to allow posting to participants
Allows inclusion of shy participants

 Can store results of discussion and decisions made

Also allows for connection with participants at distant locations a virtual
meeting (could include video hookup)
Other forms of electronic support
Electronic white boards
Computer support for collaborative work (CSCW) software
Would allow for participation at remote sites who could work on documents at
same time (shared files, etc.)
Limitations of JAD

Can be risky
Since done very fast may end up with sub-optimal decisions

Details may be inappropriately defined or missed

However, can be effective if it is done carefully with the result of shortening
the schedule