LESSONS LEARNED in the DEVELOPMENT of AN ONLINE 6-3-5 DIGITAL DESIGN TOOL for DISTRIBUTED IDEA GENERATION

Abstract

In a year, which has observed a change towards more online teaching and learning, there is still a limited number of online collaborative design tools which can support distributed design activities. A prototype online tool to support 6-3-5 (known as the 6-3-5 method or brainwriting) was developed, at the Department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management (DMEM), University of Strathclyde, to support idea generation. The software is accessed through a web browser and guides through the 6-3-5 method. Students can conduct the activity in a synchronous mode (live) supported by text or video chat, or in an asynchronous mode. This paper discusses the design and development of the online 6-3-5 tool and key requirements for its further development including its suitability for both use by distributed design teams and as an educational tool. The outcomes of this research are the lessons learnt in developing the prototype online tool, its evaluation and the identification of further creative methods that could be digitised in the future.