Academic Positions

  • Present 2013

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany, Faculty of Computer Science

  • 2013 2011

    Researcher

    Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Section Systems Engineering

  • 2008 2006

    Research Assistant

    Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany, Faculty of Computer Science

Education

  • Dr-Ing. 2012

    Doktoringenieur (graduate PhD), Computer Science

    Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany

  • Dipl-Ing.2006

    Diplomingenieur für Computervisualistik (graduate engineer), Computational Visualistics, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering

    Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany

  • B.A.2005

    Bakkalaureus der Computervisualistik (bachelor of science), Computational Visualistics, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering

    Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany

Honors, Awards and Grants

  • 2010
    Best Paper Award Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS)
    image
    Collaboration Systems and Technologies Track
    Minitrack: Creativity in Teams and Organizations
    Paper Title: Changing the Perspective: Improving Generate thinkLets for Ideation
  • 2008-2010
    Postgraduate Scholarship (Stipendium des Landes Sachsen Anhalt)
    image
    Research Project: ThinXel und ThinkLets in Group Support Systemen

Research Projects

  • image

    Collaboration Process Design for Lean Startup

    October 2013 – September 2016

    Disruptive innovations have changed the business environment of profit and non-profit organizations. Organizations operate in a dynamic environment, characterised by rapid changes in technologies, cultures, ecologies, economies and governments. To maintain their competitive position, organizations need to solve the innovator's dilemma. From a research perspective, different approaches might be valuable for organizations to enable potential disruptive innovation. One approach is to apply the Open Innovation Theory by spin-offs, alliances, market transactions and acquisitions. Thereby, start-up firms seems to be attractive collaborators for large organizations whose structured routines and organizational culture have reduced their ability to flexible react on market opportunities.

    With regard to start-up firms, methods for developing businesses and products have changed. During the last decade, the lean start-up method becomes significantly more important. This approach tries to shorten product development cycles by adopting a combination of business-hypothesis-driven experimentation, iterative product releases and a learning process. Such an iterative hypothesis-driven approach involves collaboration in a dynamic environment, characterized by changing partners, inside and outside a start-up firm, to develop and evaluates possible business model hypotheses. Until now, less research focuses on the design and support of collaboration in a lean start-up process. In a result, less knowledge exists on how to evaluate the quality of a lean start-up process or how to support collaboration insides a start-up firm or between a start-up firm and a large organization.

    The objective of this project is too close the research gap between existing collaboration research and the iterative hypothesis-driven design approach used by the lean start-up method.

    Forschungsportal Sachsen-Anhalt
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    SMART VORTEX

    April 2011 – September 2013

    SMART VORTEX is a Large Integrated Project co-financed by the European Union within the Seventh Framework Programme.

    The goal of SMART VORTEX is to provide a technological infrastructure consisting of a comprehensive suite of interoperable tools, services, and methods for intelligent management and analysis of massive data streams to achieve better collaboration and decision making in large-scale collaborative projects concerning industrial innovation engineering.

    www.smartvortex.eu
  • image

    ThinXel und ThinkLets in Group Support Systemen

    Juli 2007 – April 2011

    Die Verwendung von Group Support Systemen (GSS) kann zu einer Verbesserung der Effektivität und Effizienz von Gruppenprozessen führen. Die Planung und Durchführung eines Gruppenprozesses setzt aber Expertenwissen, in Form eines professionellen Moderators voraus. Viele Unternehmen scheuen daher, aufgrund von hohen Kosten, den Einsatz eines GSS.

    Ein Ansatz zur Optimierung eines GSS stellt die Verbesserung der Benutzerfreundlichkeit dar. Hierdurch kann der Anwender bei der Bedienung des Systems weiter unterstützt werden. Für die Planung, Gestaltung und Durchführung werden aber formale Regeln benötigt, auf deren Grundlage ein System die Effizienz eines gestalteten Gruppenprozess einschätzen, bzw. mögliche Prozessschritte vorschlagen kann.

    Dieses Projekt greift daher das Konzept der ThinkLets (DeVreede / Briggs) auf und versucht ein neues Framework für GSS auf der Basis einer formalen Sprache und dem neuen Konzept “ThinXel” zu entwickeln. Ein “ThinXel” ist als eine elementare Moderationsanweisung definiert, welche bei den Teilnehmern eines Workshops eine zum Ziel führende Reaktion auslöst. ThinXels können wie in einer Programmiersprache unter formalen Regeln zu komplexeren Modulen zusammengefügt werden. Diese Module bilden eine Bibliothek, die zur Erstellung von Moderationsskripten für die Planung und Durchführung von Workshops genutzt werden können. ThinXels erlauben somit eine eindeutige, kompakte Darstellung von Moderationsanweisung für reale und computergestützte Gruppenprozesse.

    Forschungsportal Sachsen-Anhalt

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Improving the Effectiveness of Ideation Using Analogies: Choosing the Right External Stimuli

Stefan W Knoll, Graham Horton, Claudia Krull, Tim Dittmar (2015)
Journal Paper In: Journal of Creativity and Business Innovation 1:5-18. ISSN: 2351-6186
image

Abstract

The purpose of the research described in this paper is to improve the understanding of the analogy technique for generating ideas, in particular for business applications. There has been very little research done on this topic, and thus hardly any advice is available for innovation managers and marketers, who rely on good ideas to achieve their objectives. Our goal is to provide concrete guidelines to practitioners for improving the effectiveness of the analogy technique.

We have created a model that distinguishes between two classes of stimuli (concrete and abstract) that are used to generate analogies and two classes of analogy (near and far) that can be used to inspire ideas. We hypothesize that abstract stimuli will lead to more far analogies and that far analogies will lead to a larger number of good ideas. We performed an experiment to obtain evidence for these hypotheses in which subjects were asked to come up with solutions for a simple marketing task using both concrete and abstract stimuli to generate first analogies and from these, ideas.

The experimental results show strong support for both hypotheses. We conclude that abstract stimuli are superior to concrete ones when the analogy method is carried out in two phases and that far analogies are to be preferred when a single-phase version is to be used. This knowledge is immediately applicable in a wide range of ideation settings and gives rise to new research questions regarding the best choice of stimuli

The Impact of Analogical Distance as a Mental Stimulus in Ideation Processes using Change of Perspective: Jumping

Stefan W Knoll, Graham Horton (2015)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 48th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Koloa, Kauai, HI, USA, 05-08 Januar 2015 doi: 10.1109/HICSS.2015.36

Abstract

Over several decades, a variety of studies have analysed analogical thinking as a cognitive mechanism, in which the individual transfers information from similar situations or problems and uses it to solve problems. However, less research is given that focuses on the use of predefined analogies as external stimuli for the ideation process. As a result, there has been very little information available on how to use analogies in practice, i.e. during an ideation workshop. This paper reports the results of an experiment that analysed the influence of predefined analogies on ideation processes using analogical thinking. Twenty-three students individually used analogous thinking in an ideation workshop with predefined near and far analogies as external stimuli. Results show some first indications that the distance of the analogies as well as the level of detail have an influence on the ideation outcomes.

A Business Model Architecture for Lean Start-Ups

Graham Horton, Jana Goers, Stefan W Knoll (2014)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the The ISPIM Asia-Pacific Innovation Forum 2014, Singapore, 7-10 December 2014

Abstract

Lean Start-up is a management process for start-ups that emphasizes learning via hypothesis formulation and experimentation. The business model is the paradigm of choice for designing the start-up company and for obtaining funding. Although many business model architectures have been suggested, we believe that none is well-suited to the needs of a start-up. We therefore propose a new solution that is motivated by specific attributes of the Lean Start-up approach. We present an example from a real-world start-up project that demonstrates the application and usefulness of our architecture. We believe that our solution will improve collaboration in start-up teams and help to improve the chances of success of new-venture projects.

Context and Collaborative Work: A Context-Sensitive Intervention Approach for Collaboration in Dynamic Environment

Stefan W Knoll, Stephan G Lukosch (2014)
Book Chapter In: Brezillon P, Gonzalez, A (eds) Context in Computing: A Cross-Disciplinary Approach for Modeling the Real World. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. isbn: 978-1-4939-1886-7
image

Abstract

The context of complex design and engineering processes is character-ized by dynamic requirements, like changing process goals or group constella-tions. To deal with these dynamics in a virtual environment, a context-sensitive collaboration support system needs to consider a changing context and provides virtual teams with the support they need. Such elastic collaboration support can range from a fixed process and tool configuration to an open collaboration envi-ronment that enables groups to interact in a self-organized way. In this chapter, re-search about a context-sensitive intervention approach is described that intends to support elastic collaboration in dynamic environments. Based on a review of exist-ing theories on collaboration performance, the use of contextual process infor-mation is discussed to monitor group performance during collaboration. Thereby, a rule concept is introduced to derive interventions for elastic collaboration pro-cesses compared to existing approaches for context modeling in collaboration.

Tagungsband der 3. Doktorandentagung Magdeburger-Informatik-Tage 2014 (MIT 2014)

Christian Hansen, Stefan W Knoll, Veit Koeppen, Georg Krempl, Claudia Krull, Eike Schallehn (2014)
Proceedings isbn: 978-3-944722-12-2
image

A Context-Sensitive Intervention Approach for Collaboration in Dynamic Environments

Stefan W Knoll, Stephan G Lukosch (2013)
Book Chapter In: Brezillon P, Blackburn P, Dapoigny R (eds) Modeling and Using Context. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume 8175. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-40972-1_9
image

Abstract

Complex design and engineering processes are characterized by dynamic requirements, like changing process goals or group constellations. To deal with these dynamics, a context-sensitive approach is needed to consider a changing environment and provides teams with the support they need. This paper describes research about a context-sensitive intervention approach to support collaboration in dynamic environments. Based on a review of existing approaches for context modeling in collaboration, a semantic model is presented to describe a collaboration process design as well as contextual process information. Using existing theories on collaboration performance, the paper discusses how the semantic model can be used to monitor group performance during collaboration. Thereby, a rule concept is introduced to derive interventions for dynamic collaboration processes and discusses their application to build new context-sensitive collaboration support systems.

A Semantic Model for Adaptive Collaboration Support Systems

Stefan W Knoll, Jordan Janeiro, Stephan G Lukosch, Gwendolyn L Kolfschoten (2013)
Book Chapter In: Hussein T, Paulheim H, Lukosch SG, Ziegler J, Calvary G (eds) Semantic Models for Adaptive Interactive Systems. Human–Computer Interaction Series. Springer London. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4471-5301-6_4
image

Abstract

Dynamic environments characterize today' s world. In complex design and engineering processes, dynamic environments influence the requirements of an ongoing collaboration process. They lead to process goal changes or reduce the time available to achieve a collaborative goal. In such a case, collaboration support and processes need to be adapted. Various collaboration support systems assist groups by providing technological support to structure activities, generate and share data, and to improve group communication. However, current support systems often prescribe or assume a fixed process and a known group composition. As result, collaboration support is needed that considers the changing environment and provides groups with the support they need. Such support can range from a fixed process and tool configuration to an open collaboration environment that enables groups to interact in a self-organized way. This chapter introduces an elastic collaboration approach that comprises a continuum of collaboration support, ranging from prescribed collaboration to new emerging forms of collaboration. The chapter discusses how the concept of elastic collaboration can be implemented in an adaptive collaboration support system using a semantic model to capture, manage and analyze a collaboration environment. Based on this model, a sample application of the semantic model is presented along with a collaborative problem-solving model.

Collaboration Process Design for Ideation in Distributed Environments: Approaches to Support Collaborative Ideation in Global Virtual Groups using Technological Support

Stefan W Knoll
PhD Thesis Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany | 19 November 2012 | URN: 0470614153

Abstract

The thesis focuses on collaboration process design and pursues two objectives. One objective is the improvement of the collaboration process design for ideation processes that support the pre-development phase of an innovation process. Another research objective is related to the need for technological support to improve collaborative ideation processes in a virtual environment. This is due to the fact that virtual groups comprise an important structural component of many multinational organisations.

The knowledge base of the thesis is characterised by several research domains such as the cognitive, behavioural and design science, which provide theories and approaches for the design, implementation and evaluation of collaboration. Besides giving an overview on collaboration and existing theories that describe and predict factors which influence the collaboration process, the thesis discusses the use of the Collaboration Engineering approach to design the pre-development phase of an innovation process. This approach uses a design pattern approach to pack and transfer knowledge about collaboration. However, from the literature, it remains unclear if the given design approach provides all possible approaches to guide the cognitive and social process of a group during ideation. Furthermore, the thesis indicates unused potential of the used pattern design approach for the design of a machine-readable process description that can be used to develop adaptable groupware technologies as technological support for collaborative ideation processes in global virtual groups.

To provide an answer how to support collaboration process design for ideation in distributed environments, the thesis is structured related to three research questions:

  • How to improve the design of a predictable and suitable ideation process for the pre-development phase of the innovation process?
  • How to formalise a collaboration process into a machine-readable process description?
  • How to use a machine-readable process description to design an adaptable groupware technology that support collaboration in global virtual groups?

In conclusion, the thesis provides different contributions to both business and academia. On the one side, the introduced approaches can be used by organisations to support ideation in the pre-development phase of an innovation process by reducing uncertainties or supporting global virtual groups. On the other side, research results can be applied to the research field of creativity, collaboration process design, innovation management and human computer interaction to analyse and understand collaborative ideation processes in more detail.

Adaptive Collaboration Support Systems: Designing Collaboration Support for Dynamic Environments

Jordan Janeiro, Stefan W Knoll, Stephan G Lukosch, Gwendolyn L Kolfschoten (2012)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Engineering Systems Symposium (CESUN 2012), Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, 18-20 June 2012

Abstract

Today, engineering systems offer a variety of local and webbased applications to support collaboration by assisting groups in structuring activities, generating and sharing data, and improving group communication. To ensure the quality of collaboration, engineering system design needs to analyze and define possible collaboration processes. Currently, engineering system design focuses on collaboration processes in a static environment. However, today's world is characterized by dynamic environments that can influence the requirements of a collaboration process and require to adapt the process during runtime. This paper introduces a new approach for engineering systems design that provides adaptive collaboration support for changing environments. This approach is based upon a conceptual architecture for engineering systems that uses data streams to analyze the dynamic environment and adapts a collaboration process on demand according to varying goals, time and data.

Designing Collaboration Support for Dynamic Environments

Jordan Janeiro, Stefan W Knoll, Stephan G Lukosch, Gwendolyn L Kolfschoten, Frances M T Brazier (2012)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 12th Meeting on Group Decision and Negotiation, Recife, Brazil, 20-24 May 2012 isbn: 978-85-415-0036-4

Abstract

Machine maintenance can be defined as a collaborative, integrated and information-driven approach that includes people, procedure and technology. In such processes, experts from different areas related to the product collaborate to improve the quality of a product. For example, according to new maintenance strategies such as predict and prevent (PaP), maintenance teams formed by designers and maintenance experts have to work together to maximize the uptime of a certain product, avoiding its downtime or breakdown. However, such task can be challenging because of the dynamics of the situation. In some cases the available time for collaboration can be limited and the performance of a product can quickly change. Therefore, in order to overcome such challenges, we present a system model to support collaboration in such a situation.

Ontological Collaboration Engineering

Stefan W Knoll, Till Plumbaum, Ernesto W De Luca, Livia Predoiu (2012)
Book Chapter In: Bruggemann S, d'Amato C (eds) Collaboration and the Semantic Web: Social Networks, Knowledge Networks and Knowledge Resources. IGI Global. doi: 10.4018/978-1-4666-0894-8.ch012
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Abstract

This chapter gives a comprehensive overview of ongoing research about semantic approaches for Collaboration Engineering. The authors present a new ontology-based approach, where each concept of the ontology corresponds to a specific collaboration step or a resource, to collect, manage, and share collaborative knowledge. The chapter discusses the utility of the proposed ontology in the context of a real-world example where the authors explain how collaboration can be modelled and applied using their ontology in order to improve the collaboration process. Furthermore, they discuss how well-known ontologies, such as FOAF, can be linked to their ontology and extend it. While the focus of the chapter is on semantic Collaboration Engineering, the authors additionally present methods of reasoning and machine learning to derive new knowledge about the collaboration process as a further research direction.

A Transfer Approach for Facilitation Knowledge in Computer-Supported Collaboration

Stefan W Knoll, Jana Schumann, Thomas Matzdorf, Ayneta Adege, Martin Linnemann, Graham Horton (2011)
Book Chapter In: Vivacqua AS, Gutwin C, Borges MRS (eds) Collaboration and Technology. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume 6969. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-23801-7_10
image

Abstract

Collaboration is an important process for companies to combine the potential and expertise of their employees. Groupware can improve the productivity of collaboration by coordinating activities and improving group communication. Considering the possible complexity of a collaboration process, the faithful appropriation of a groupware technology is fundamental to design predictable and efficient collaboration. This paper presents ongoing research on how to improve technological support for collaboration by formalizing the workflow of a collaboration process into a machine-readable process description. We will present a knowledge transfer approach for the adaptation of a logical process design by an inexperienced user. This approach transfers facilitation knowledge for the selection and configuration of a collaboration process and provides rules for instructional writing to support an inexperienced user in defining clear and explicit instructions. A software application was used to evaluate the knowledge transfer approach in a quasi-experiment with inexperienced participants.

Changing the Perspective: Using a Cognitive Model to Improve Generate thinkLets for Ideations

Stefan W Knoll, Graham Horton (2011)
Journal Paper In: Journal of Management Information Systems 28(1):85-114. doi: 10.2753/MIS0742-1222280104
image

Abstract

In the field of collaboration engineering, thinkLets describe reusable and transferable collaborative activities to reproduce known patterns of collaboration. This paper focuses on thinkLets of the pattern Generate, which define collaboration activities to produce and share new contributions by a group. We address the question whether the small number of published Generate thinkLets can adequately represent the various approaches contained in published idea generation techniques. We used a cognitive model to analyze 101 idea generation techniques with regard to the underlying mental principles that stimulate the ideation process by deliberately activating larger areas of the knowledge network. We present three changes of perspective based on these principles, which can be used to formalize the underlying mechanisms of idea generation techniques. The paper shows how these three principles can be used to improve Generate thinkLets and discusses how this formalization can improve the applicability of information systems for ideation processes.

The Structure of Idea Generation Techniques - Three Rules for Generating Goal-Oriented Ideas

Stefan W Knoll, Graham Horton (2011)
Book Chapter In: Mesquita A (ed) Technology for Creativity and Innovation: Tools, Techniques and Applications. doi: 10.4018/978-1-60960-519-3.ch009
image

Abstract

Idea generation techniques play an important role in the innovation process. Until recently, the space of techniques has been unstructured, and no clear guidelines have been available for the selection of an appropriate technique for a given innovation goal. This chapter uses an engineering approach to study and develop idea generation techniques with the aim of obtaining more structured and rigorous guidelines for generating ideas. One element of this approach was to identify and understand the fundamental mental principles underlying an idea generation technique. In this chapter, three such principles suffice to cover a large range of published idea generation techniques and can be used to improve the utility of idea generation within the innovation process.

Idea Engineering: A Case Study of a Practically Oriented University Course in Innovation

Graham Horton, Rene Chelvier, Stefan W Knoll, Jana Goers (2011)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 44th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Koloa, Kauai, HI, USA, 04-07 Januar 2011 doi: 10.1109/HICSS.2011.229

Abstract

This paper describes a course in innovation offered to students at the University of Magdeburg in Germany. The course is based on the premise that idea generation can be viewed as a methodical discipline, and offers a unique combination of the psychological framework for creative thinking, the business background for innovation and state-of-the-art creativity techniques. The course derives much of its impact from close cooperation with an innovation consulting company and enables the students to solve real-life ideation tasks supplied by local corporations and other organizations. The paper describes the goals and design of the course, its innovative features, its reception by students and concludes with benefits and experiences gained.

The Impact of Stimuli Characteristics on the Ideation Process: An Evaluation of the Change of Perspective 'Analogy'

Stefan W Knoll, Graham Horton (2011)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 44th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Koloa, Kauai, HI, USA, 04-07 Januar 2011 doi: 10.1109/HICSS.2011.416

Abstract

Idea generation techniques provide a variety of approaches for supporting an innovation process. Until recently, the space of techniques has been unstructured, and no clear guidelines have been available for the selection of an appropriate technique for a given innovation goal. We used the 'change of perspective' paradigm as an approach to study idea generation techniques with the aim of obtaining more structured and rigorous guidelines for generating ideas. This paper reports the results of an experiment that analysed the influence of the external stimuli characteristics on the idea generation. We introduce a new approach to characterise external stimuli for the change of perspective 'analogy' by using the criteria 'typical' and 'relevant'. Twenty-two people used the change of perspective 'analogy' in an ideation workshop with a set of different external stimuli. The result supports our assumption that the characteristic of an external stimulus affect the generation of ideas.

Collaboration Ontology: Applying Collaboration Knowledge to a Generic Group Support System

Stefan W Knoll, Till Plumbaum, Jan L Hoffmann, Ernesto W de Luca (2010)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 11th Meeting on Group Decision and Negotiation, Delft, The Netherlands, 21-24 June 2010 isbn: 978-905-63823-6-0

Abstract

Collaboration is a social and interactive process, where participants join efforts toward a group goal. A Group Support Systems (GSS) can improve the productivity of collaboration work by structuring activities and improving communication. However, knowledge is needed for the faithful appropriation of GSS technology. In this paper we present ongoing research about a supporting framework for a generic GSS that adapts the GSS technology automatically to a logical model of a collaboration process. Drawing on Collaboration Engineering and the logical model, the paper explores the use of an ontology to capture and share knowledge about collaboration. As a result, we present a collaboration ontology that builds a common vocabulary for the key concepts of collaboration and the relations and dependencies between them. A generic GSS can use the ontology to enable knowledge exchange between experts and practitioners. This will increase the potential benefits of a GSS for collaboration.

Semantic Group Support System for Context Adaptive Collaboration

Stefan W Knoll, Till Plumbaum, Ernesto W de Luca (2010)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the CHI workshop on Context-Adaptive Interaction for Collaborative Work, Atlanta, USA, 10-15 April 2010

Abstract

Collaboration is a social and interactive process, where participants join efforts toward a group goal. A Group Support System (GSS) can improve the productivity of collaborative work by structuring activities and improving communication. By using context-based adaptive techniques, a GSS can support facilitation of the participants by offering appropriate tools for a certain activity in a specific context. In this paper we present ongoing research about a supporting framework for a semantic GSS that supports efficient collaborative work. Drawing on Collaboration Engineering, the paper explores the use of an ontology to capture and share process information that define the collaboration context. As a result, we present an approach of a collaboration ontology that subdivides the collaboration context into the individual context of a participant and the collaborative context of a group. Researchers can use the ontology to develop context-based adaptive techniques that support collaborative work using GSS.

Changing the Perspective: Improving Generate thinkLets for Ideation

Stefan W Knoll, Graham Horton (2010)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Koloa, Kauai, HI, USA, 05-08 January 2010 doi: 10.1109/HICSS.2010.103

Abstract

Creativity techniques provide a variety of approaches for supporting an ideation process. These techniques can be executed using a Group Support System (GSS), thus allowing the ideation process to be distributed across geographical distances. However, experience is necessary for the selection of an appropriate creativity technique, its implementation in a GSS, and the facilitation during the ideation process itself. To tackle these problems, 101 creativity techniques were analysed with respect to their underlying cognitive processes. The results show that there are only three cognitive principles that stimulate the ideation process by providing a change of perspective. Change of perspective can be used to formalize the cognitive process of creativity techniques. The paper shows how this change of perspective can be used to implement an ideation process with a GSS via Generate thinkLets and discuss how this formalisation can improve the applicability of GSS for ideation processes.

Integrating Semantic Web and Web 2.0 Technologies for supporting Collaboration Engineering

Stefan W Knoll, Ernesto W de Luca, Graham Horton, Andreas Nürnberger (2009)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 17th Workshop on Adaptivity and User Modeling in Interactive Systems (ABIS), Darmstadt, Germany, 21-23 September 2009

Abstract

In this paper we present ongoing research about a sup-porting framework that improves Group Support Sys-tems (GSS) for Collaboration Engineering (CE). CE uses a pattern design approach which allows groups with no design skills, and only limited facilitation skills, to design and execute efficient and effective collaboration processes. Our research tries to use Web-based GSS technologies to support the CE approach. We assume that Social and Semantic Web technologies could enhance CE providing relational (formal rules) and shared information (community experiences). This leads to a new GSS approach that supports groups in designing and executing a collaboration process con-sidering users contributions for a structured collective knowledge sharing process.

Applying a ThinkLet- and ThinXel-based Group Process Modeling Language: A Prototype of a Universal Group Support System

Stefan W Knoll, Martin Hoerning, Graham Horton (2009)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 42nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Big Island, HI, USA, 05-08 January 2009 doi: 10.1109/HICSS.2009.75

Abstract

Group Support Systems (GSS) can improve the productivity of Group Work by offering a variety of tools to assist a virtual group across geographical distances. Experience shows that the value of a GSS depends on how purposefully and skillfully it is used. We present a framework for a universal GSS based on a thinkLet- and thinXel-based Group Process Modeling Language (GPML). Our framework approach uses the GPML to describe different kinds of group processes in an unambiguous and compact representation and to guide the participants automatically through these processes. We assume that a GSS based on this GPML can provide the following advantages: to support the user by designing and executing a collaboration process and to increase the applicability of GSSs for different kinds of group processes. We will present a prototype and use different kinds of group processes to illustrate the application of a GPML for a universal GSS.

A Markov Model for Multi-Criteria Multi-Person Decision Making

Rene Chelvier, Kristina Dammasch, Graham Horton, Stefan W Knoll, Claudia Krull, Benjamin Rauch-Gebbensleben (2008)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Innovations in Information Technology, Al Ain, UAE, 16-18 December 2008 doi: 10.1109/INNOVATIONS.2008.4781672

Abstract

This paper describes a new algorithm for the evaluation of alternatives by a group of decision makers according to multiple criteria. The algorithm is motivated by the need to quickly evaluate a large number of ideas in the early stages of an innovation process, when little or no information about the ideas is available. The algorithm is based on a Markov chain model which is derived from pairwise comparisons of ideas. The steady-state solution of this Markov chain yields a ranking vector for the alternatives. The algorithm is similar to the ldquoPageRankrdquo method used by Google. The new algorithm does not require absolute values and allows assignment of weights both to the decision makers and to the evaluation criteria.

A Design Approach for a Universal Group Support System using ThinkLets and ThinXels

Stefan W Knoll, Martin Hoerning, Graham Horton (2008)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 9th Meeting on Group Decision and Negotiation, Coimbra, Portugal, 17-20 June 2008 isbn: 978-989-95055-2-0

Abstract

Group Support Systems (GSS) can increase the productivity of Decision Making by offering a variety of tools to assist a virtual group across geographical distances. But experience shows that the value of a GSS depends on how purposefully and skilfully it is used. We present a design approach for a universal GSS which supports the participants in designing, executing and exchanging collaboration techniques. Our approach is based on a modelling language which uses the well-known concept of a thinkLet and the new concept of a thinXel. A ThinXel is defined as an atomic instruction leading to one activity of the participant which has a well-defined function in the context of the group's goal. ThinXels can be sequenced according to formal rules to form patterns of collaboration, called thinkLets. The name "thinXel" (thinking element) is formed analogously to the well-known "pixel" (picture element) in Computer Graphics. We claim that a thinkLet-based modelling language using the concept of thinXels can provide the following advantages: to describe a group process in a simple way, to generate an algorithm that guides the participants through the process and to increase the usability of GSS for practitioners without expertise. We will present a graphical representation for modelling a group process and use the discussion technique Six Hats as an example to illustrate the elements of our modelling language.

Formalised Online Creativity using ThinXels

Stefan W Knoll, Rene Chelvier, Graham Horton (2007)
Conference Paper In: Proceedings of the 10th European Conference on Creativity and Innovation, Copenhagen, Denmark, 14-17 Oktober 2007

Abstract

Computer-supported creativity tools are one example of Group Support Systems (GSS) which have been shown to outperform their traditional face-to-face counterparts. We present a framework for GSS which is based on formal languages and the new concept of a ThinXel. The name "ThinXel" (thinking element) is formed analogously to the well-known "pixel" (picture element) in Computer Science. We claim that ThinXel-based GSS can provide significant advantages. A ThinXel is defined as an elementary instruction leading to a response which has a well-defined function in the context of the group's goal. ThinXels can be sequenced according to formal rules to form more complex modules like the statements in a computer programming language. These modules can be collected to form a library which can be assembled to create facilitation scripts for entire meetings or workshops. Our approach allows an unambiguous, compact representation of the facilitation steps for both traditional and computer-based group processes. We believe that it will eventually allow them to be completely formalised and to a large extent even automated. We will present experimental results carried out with a ThinXel-based software tool. These illustrate concepts from ThinXel-based ideation and provide quantitative evidence which supports our claim.

Current Teaching

  • Present 2015

    Introduction to Computer Sciences for Engineers (MSc course)

    Organizer/Supervisor of a one-semester postgradual course that gives engineers students an introduction to computer science.

  • Present 2015

    Startup-Engineering II: Tools and Technologies (MSc course)

    Tutor of a one-semester postgradual course that gives students an introduction to software tools currently used by startups.

  • Present 2015

    Startup-Engineering I: Grundlagen und Methoden zur erfolgreichen Gründung (BSc course)

    Tutor of a one-semester course that gives students an introduction to the Lean-Startup method.

  • Present 2014

    Computergestützte Kollaboration (MSc course)

    Organizer/Supervisor of a one-semester postgradual course that gives students an introduction to computer-supported cooperative work.

  • Present 2014

    Schlüsselkompetenzen III (MSc course)

    Tutor of a one-semester postgradual course that give students an introduction to scientific work.

Current Supervising

Teaching History

  • 2014 2014

    Innovation für Startups (BSc/MSc course)

    Tutor of a one-semester course that gives students an introduction to Lean-Startup.

  • 2013 2011

    SPM4123 MAS Design from engineering perspective (MSc course)

    The course gives students an introduction to designing complex, technological, large scale systems in multi-actor environments. Instructor and organizer of a lecture on Creativity, Collaboration Engineering and a workshop on Creativity and Collaborative Modelling.

  • 2013 2011

    SPM4111 Introduction to Designing Multi-actor Systems (MSc course)

    The one-week course gives students an introduction to Designing Multi-actor Systems. Instructor of a workshop on Creativity.

  • 2013 2011

    SPM4110 Designing Multi-actor Systems (MSc course)

    The course gives students an introduction to designing complex, technological, large scale systems in multi-actor environments. Instructor and organizer of a lecture on Creativity, Collaboration Engineering and a workshop on Creativity and Collaborative Modelling.

  • 2011 2007

    Scientific Student Project (BSc/MSc software project)

    Organizer/Supervisor of a one-semester software project that gives students an introduction to project and scientific work.

  • 2009 2007

    Computer-supported Ideation (BSc seminar)

    Organizer/Supervisor of a one-semester undergraduate seminar that gives students an introduction to scientific work.

  • 2008 2006

    Idea Engineering (BSc course)

    Tutor of a one-semester undergraduate course that gives students an introduction to ideation and innovation and contains several unique and innovative elements.

Supervising History

  • 2015

    Christian Rößler (M.Sc.)

    Empfehlung für den iterativen Designprozess einer Landing Page für ein Lean Startup im Bereich E-Commerce.

  • 2014

    Markus Jütner (M.Sc.)

    Creativity Support Tool: Untersuchung von nutzerspezifischen Stimuli zur Ideenfindung im Kontext der Geschäftsmodellinnovation.

  • 2010

    Jana Schumann (B.Sc.)

    Supporting Workspace Awareness by Visualizing the Story Graph Evolution in Non-Linear Collaborative Storytelling

  • 2007

    Anika Gerdes (Dipl.-Wirt.-Inf.)

    ThinXel und ThinkLets für Group Support Systems: Definition, Spezifikation und Beispiele

  • 2007

    Martin Hörning (Dipl.-Ing. CV)

    Konzipierung, Implementierung und Evaluierung eines ThinXel-basierten Group Support Systems

At My Office

You can find me at my office located at the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg


Institut für Simulation und Graphik (ISG)

39106 Magdeburg

Universitätsplatz 2

G29-214


I am at my office most days of the week from 09:00 until 16:00 am, but you may consider a call to fix an appointment.

Datenschutzerklärung

Geltungsbereich

Diese Datenschutzerklärung klärt Nutzer über die Art, den Umfang und Zwecke der Erhebung und Verwendung personenbezogener Daten durch den verantwortlichen Anbieter Stefan Werner Knoll, 13086 Berlin auf dieser Website (im folgenden Angebot) auf.

Die rechtlichen Grundlagen des Datenschutzes finden sich im Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (BDSG) und dem Telemediengesetz (TMG).

Zugriffsdaten/ Server-Logfiles

Der Anbieter (beziehungsweise sein Webspace-Provider) erhebt Daten über jeden Zugriff auf das Angebot (so genannte Serverlogfiles). Zu den Zugriffsdaten gehören:

Name der abgerufenen Webseite, Datei, Datum und Uhrzeit des Abrufs, übertragene Datenmenge, Meldung über erfolgreichen Abruf, Browsertyp nebst Version, das Betriebssystem des Nutzers, Referrer URL (die zuvor besuchte Seite), IP-Adresse und der anfragende Provider.

Der Anbieter verwendet die Protokolldaten nur für statistische Auswertungen zum Zweck des Betriebs, der Sicherheit und der Optimierung des Angebotes. Der Anbieterbehält sich jedoch vor, die Protokolldaten nachträglich zu überprüfen, wenn aufgrund konkreter Anhaltspunkte der berechtigte Verdacht einer rechtswidrigen Nutzung besteht.

Kontaktaufnahme

Bei der Kontaktaufnahme mit dem Anbieter (zum Beispiel per Kontaktformular oder E-Mail) werden die Angaben des Nutzers zwecks Bearbeitung der Anfrage sowie für den Fall, dass Anschlussfragen entstehen, gespeichert.

Einbindung von Diensten und Inhalten Dritter

Es kann vorkommen, dass innerhalb dieses Onlineangebotes Inhalte Dritter, wie zum Beispiel Videos von YouTube, Kartenmaterial von Google-Maps, RSS-Feeds oder Grafiken von anderen Webseiten eingebunden werden. Dies setzt immer voraus, dass die Anbieter dieser Inhalte (nachfolgend bezeichnet als "Dritt-Anbieter") die IP-Adresse der Nutzer wahr nehmen. Denn ohne die IP-Adresse, könnten sie die Inhalte nicht an den Browser des jeweiligen Nutzers senden. Die IP-Adresse ist damit für die Darstellung dieser Inhalte erforderlich. Wir bemühen uns nur solche Inhalte zu verwenden, deren jeweilige Anbieter die IP-Adresse lediglich zur Auslieferung der Inhalte verwenden. Jedoch haben wir keinen Einfluss darauf, falls die Dritt-Anbieter die IP-Adresse z.B. für statistische Zwecke speichern. Soweit dies uns bekannt ist, klären wir die Nutzer darüber auf.

Cookies

Cookies sind kleine Dateien, die es ermöglichen, auf dem Zugriffsgerät der Nutzer (PC, Smartphone o.ä.) spezifische, auf das Gerät bezogene Informationen zu speichern. Sie dienen zum einem der Benutzerfreundlichkeit von Webseiten und damit den Nutzern (z.B. Speicherung von Logindaten). Zum anderen dienen sie, um die statistische Daten der Webseitennutzung zu erfassen und sie zwecks Verbesserung des Angebotes analysieren zu können. Die Nutzer können auf den Einsatz der Cookies Einfluss nehmen. Die meisten Browser verfügen eine Option mit der das Speichern von Cookies eingeschränkt oder komplett verhindert wird. Allerdings wird darauf hingewiesen, dass die Nutzung und insbesondere der Nutzungskomfort ohne Cookies eingeschränkt werden.

Sie können viele Online-Anzeigen-Cookies von Unternehmen über die US-amerikanische Seite http://www.aboutads.info/choices/ oder die EU-Seite http://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/your-ad-choices/ verwalten.

Google Analytics

Dieses Angebot benutzt Google Analytics, einen Webanalysedienst der Google Inc. (Google). Google Analytics verwendet sog. Cookies, Textdateien, die auf Computer der Nutzer gespeichert werden und die eine Analyse der Benutzung der Website durch sie ermöglichen. Die durch den Cookie erzeugten Informationen über Benutzung dieser Website durch die Nutzer werden in der Regel an einen Server von Google in den USA übertragen und dort gespeichert.

Im Falle der Aktivierung der IP-Anonymisierung auf dieser Webseite, wird die IP-Adresse der Nutzer von Google jedoch innerhalb von Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union oder in anderen Vertragsstaaten des Abkommens über den Europäischen Wirtschaftsraum zuvor gekürzt. Nur in Ausnahmefällen wird die volle IP-Adresse an einen Server von Google in den USA übertragen und dort gekürzt. Die IP-Anonymisierung ist auf dieser Website aktiv. Im Auftrag des Betreibers dieser Website wird Google diese Informationen benutzen, um die Nutzung der Website durch die Nutzer auszuwerten, um Reports über die Websiteaktivitäten zusammenzustellen und um weitere mit der Websitenutzung und der Internetnutzung verbundene Dienstleistungen gegenüber dem Websitebetreiber zu erbringen.

Die im Rahmen von Google Analytics von Ihrem Browser übermittelte IP-Adresse wird nicht mit anderen Daten von Google zusammengeführt. Die Nutzer können die Speicherung der Cookies durch eine entsprechende Einstellung Ihrer Browser-Software verhindern; Dieses Angebot weist die Nutzer jedoch darauf hin, dass Sie in diesem Fall gegebenenfalls nicht sämtliche Funktionen dieser Website vollumfänglich werden nutzen können. Die Nutzer können darüber hinaus die Erfassung der durch das Cookie erzeugten und auf ihre Nutzung der Website bezogenen Daten (inkl. Ihrer IP-Adresse) an Google sowie die Verarbeitung dieser Daten durch Google verhindern, indem sie das unter dem folgenden Link verfügbare Browser-Plugin herunterladen und installieren: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

Alternativ zum Browser-Add-On oder innerhalb von Browsern auf mobilen Geräten, klicken Sie bitte diesen Link, um die Erfassung durch Google Analytics innerhalb dieser Website zukünftig zu verhindern. Dabei wird ein Opt-Out-Cookie auf Ihrem Gerät abgelegt. Löschen Sie Ihre Cookies, müssen Sie diesen Link erneut klicken.

Widerruf, änderungen, Berichtigungen und Aktualisierungen

Der Nutzer hat das Recht, auf Antrag unentgeltlich Auskunft zu erhalten über die personenbezogenen Daten, die über ihn gespeichert wurden. Zusätzlich hat der Nutzer das Recht auf Berichtigung unrichtiger Daten, Sperrung und Löschung seiner personenbezogenen Daten, soweit dem keine gesetzliche Aufbewahrungspflicht entgegensteht.

Datenschutz-Muster von Rechtsanwalt Thomas Schwenke - I LAW it