Collaborative Knowledge Management for Net-Centric Systems Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-148 Topic Title: Collaborative Knowledge Management for Net-Centric Systems Proposal No.: N062-148-0066 Firm: EVERSITAS, LLC 872 Massachusetts Avenue Suite 1004 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Contact: Paul Keel Phone: (617) 252-1866 Web Site: http://www.eversitas.com Abstract: Our objective is to develop computational solutions for maintaining a virtual transactive memory among remotely distributed collaborators in groups and organizations. The key challenge is to make computers recognize the particular backgrounds and expertise of individuals and to subsequently create a flow of information among individuals with similar work tasks, interests, foci and objectives. Our work will build on EWall technologies, a computational environment for the support of sense-making activities in remote collaborative settings. Our Phase I efforts will be divided into three parts: First, we will demonstrate how EWall technologies may be leveraged as socio-technical system to establish and maintain virtual transactive memory systems among remotely distributed work groups. Second, we will design the necessary software additions for EWall to create and maintain a virtual transactive memory system. Third, we will identify and describe particular applications that can benefit from EWall technologies in general and from a virtual transactive memory system in specific. Benefits: The effective creation and operation of conventional transactive memory systems is often prevented due to time constraints, rapid turnover of participants, remote distribution of participants, and decentralization of control. Because such situations are frequent in computer supported collaborative work environments it is necessary to introduce new means for leveraging distributed knowledge in groups and organizations. The conceptualization and development of a virtual transactive memory as well as the transitioning of EWall technologies for collaboration and knowledge management can greatly impact future research and development of enabling technologies for computer supported collaborative work. We anticipate that our technologies will allow for an increasing task specialization, independence, initiative, speed and effectiveness of individual contributors in groups and organizations. Our technologies will help collaborators to self-synchronize, leverage potential synergies, enable simultaneous contributions to multiple tasks and work groups, dynamically regroup based on their availability and expertise, and increase shared awareness and understanding. We expect our technologies to be deployed for the management of a variety of settings and activities such as network-centric operations, matrix organizations, cross-organizational collaboration, distributed problem solving, and peer-to-per learning. Finally, our efforts will provide a unique opportunity for effectively advancing and transitioning EWall technologies within a variety of different domains. Return