Applications, Tools and Methods

In this section we analyse the EUAD process as how it is expressed through applications developed (Q 2.1), tools and working methods (Q 2.2, Q 2.3) used. Also the problems are analysed and how the EUADers try to solve them especially by acquiring information and help.

4.3.1.1 Types of Applications

We asked about the application types made in question Q 2.1. This question was also the easiest way to start talking about the EUAD. In this study the applications developed are not interpreted as final goals of the EUADers but rather as a way to reach some other goals in their jobs.

The informants spoke about their applications mostly by naming the applications implemented. All the applications can be categorised as tools that were made to help the EUADer to automate routines of tasks. Some of the applications (B and K) were developed for their own use and some (C,D,G and J) for others. Some applications were developed both for their own use and for the use by others (A, H, E and L).

All the applications were developed to perform routines in their work. Most of them developed applications, which perform calculations (A, D, E, G, K and L) and some developed applications that collect data into a database (B, C, H and J). One of them (H) developed applications of both type. A summary of application types and scopes are listed in Table 4.5.

Table 4.5 Types and Scopes of the Applications

4.3.1.2 Tools and Methods

The most widely used concepts referring to tools and methods in the data concerning the EUAD are listed in Table 4.6 below. The tools used were the topic that the informants

Category/ Scope of application

Properties Own use Others Both

Calculations K D, G A,E,L

Data bases B C, J

Both H

quite likely spoke about. The other categories, working methods and method of infor- mation acquisition, were asked explicitly. The informants also expressed problems, which they had in the process of analysis and implementation.

Table 4.6. The Properties of End User Application Development

The property instances for the categories in Table 4.6 are listed in Table 4.7. All the informants mentioned the tools they had used. We divided the tools used into tree categories: Spreadsheets, databases, and programming languages. No other office tools than spreadsheets and databases were mentioned nor did anybody use any 4GL- application development package. The most widely used tool was the spreadsheet (A, B, E, G, K and L). Some of those people using spreadsheets also used databases. The pro- gramming languages were also used quite widely; four informants (C, D, H and J) named one or more applications, which they had programmed by using a special programming language.

A systematic method for application development or information acquisition did not exist. No document preparation or systematic analyses of requirements were found. Only one informant (J) said that he had tried to analyse the problem but did not manage to do so.

"In the beginning I intended to prepare a clear description of what would happen in the store, and what the program should do. But I was not able to do it." (J) The most popular method of information acquisition was "trial and error" (A and B) and the help-systems of the program packages (D, E, H, J, K and L). The help systems were usually mentioned to be the best way to solve the problem. Nobody mentioned that they

Category/ Tools and Methods Properties Dimensional range

Tools spreadsheets - data base - programming languages Working methods no systematic methods - methods used

Method of information trial and error, courses, friends/colleagues, manuals, acquisition Internet (WWW, discussion groups), help systems,

magazines/journals

Problems isolation, no courage to ask help, organisational disharmony, difficulties in analysis, difficulties in implementation

were not used, or the problem would not be solved with it. Seven persons (B,C, D, F, H, J and K) mentioned to have used manuals and textbooks. Many informants said they had attended short courses (A, D, E and G). These people were also the educated ones and had developed applications at the most. These users also had other channels like friends or colleagues (C, D and K), journals (J), Internet (A, E, J and L) and even discussion groups (J). Even if all the persons had trained the skill by themselves, nobody was totally self-educated. All of the informants had got formal training in some form either at school or at a short course.

The methods are linked to the problems in the EUAD. The most apparent problem by the informants was the isolation. Almost all of them were the only people in their own working place who performed this kind of tasks. Only one (G) found help from his working place. Many of the informants even showed no willingness or courage to ask help from others. Any way, they could not use their local contacts, because they themselves had the best knowledge. Some of them had contacts with their course fellows or other friends. When asked if they had friends or colleagues, from whom they could get help, they (A, B, C, E, H and L) usually answered doubtfully as follows:

"No, it is me whom they turn to." (H)

"Well, yes and no, most of the fellows know less." (L)

Even if there were IT -specialists in some working places, the interviewees did not ask help of them. Especially in the workplaces of educational institutions (G and L), there were IT-professionals available, but the EUADers did not ask help of them. In one case, the IT-professional did not like the EUAD activity at all (J).

Any way, in spite of the problems with getting help and information from others, the informants had contacts with their fellow workers. The most contacts were made during the time when they implemented the new applications (A, C, D, G, H, J and L). Mostly they attended to the use and set up of the application (C, D, G, H and J). The role as a general adviser did not appear to be very clear. Three persons (A, C and L) expressed cases where they had helped others. The help given to others was mostly helping to solve problems in application development.

The informants also expressed problems related to the development work. Nobody had analysed their application problems properly, but only two expressed the problems caused in it (A and J). When the informants told about their skills in programming, some of them (A, B and E) were not very confident with it.

"It (programming) is quite difficult… or it is not…it is just difficult." (E)

The problems with the management (organisational disharmony) were expressed only in two interviews (C and J). The manager of person J did not like the EUAD activity because

it was performed without his permission. The problems of person C were concerned with his peers, but these problems were quite small.

Only one mentioned having had any technical problem (C). None of them said they had problems with, for example the software provider, functioning of the computer or software.

Table 4.7 The Instances of Some Properties of End User Application Development