Invisible information systems

This article introduces the concept of ‘invisible information systems’, information systems that seamlessly integrate with and support collective work activity especially in routine operational contexts. Systems designed by traditional methods and implemented with traditional computing technology tend to ‘get in the way’ of skilful time-constrained performance in these work domains. We argue that the way to create invisible information systems is to incorporate an alternative approach to the design of computing technologies (ubicomp) into our own alternative approach to the design of information systems (situated analysis and design methodology). The situated analysis and design methodology provides a conceptual framework for information systems that support rather than get in the way of collective action in pursuit of operational goals. Developments in ubicomp, which aims to seamlessly support the actions of an individual user, provide the technical means for the physical realisation of such system designs. The resulting invisible information systems are lightweight, and more effective and efficient than traditionally- designed information systems based on traditional models of computing.