Building the Mega-Collaboration Interface: Behavioral, Cultural, and Cognitive Factors in Visualization Support

Technology has enabled mega-collaboration on an unprecedented scale. A tool is needed to coordinate these activities and link them to government response efforts. However, in defining and responding to problems, teammates need to be able to visualize each other\´s mental models. The tool must encourage the team to advance promptly through team "forming, norming, storming, and performing." Finally, it must help individual teams visualize efficiently the "big picture," using agents to enhance the process. The usability of a prototype mega-collaboration interface has been tested, the second generation interface is being implemented, and a novel agent-based interface is being planned.