Multidisciplinary collaboration to unravel expert knowledge: Designing for effective human-computer interaction

This chapter introduces project management as a pivotal tool that underpins successful information systems design. It argues that the strength of the human-dimension of human-computer interaction (HCI) is often omitted by system designers. It discusses some of the issues that arise when dealing with a multi-disciplined project team. These include dealing with a non-conventional learning context, the challenge of designing an appropriate learning design and instructional architecture. Furthermore, the authors hope that understanding the underlying principles of effective conflict management throughout the process of systems design will inform others of a better communication methodology for dealing with difficult behaviour when designing an information system. It is also hoped that this discussion will assist in the understanding of the intricate and interactive relationships that arise between the different elements of HCI.