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PLoP 2006 Shepherded Papers

Notes on Paper 10: ACCEPTED

As the shepherd for "Problem Frame Patterns" by James Noble, Rebecca
and Paul Thomas, I am expected to send in my shepherding
recommendations by today. James did mention that they had discussed
with Joe about some extra time for their work. I am not sure if that
applies to the shepherding recommendations as well.

In their paper the authors attempt to introduce the concept of Problem
Frames to patterns community. I see this as a means of using
best-practices in pre-design phases of software development.
Unfortunately however, they seem to have been very busy throughout the
shepherding time frame and have not been able to send me a revised copy
of their original paper.

As it stands now, I think the paper really needs working upon, simply
because its not an ordinary pattern. There are issues that need to be
addressed regarding structure and nature of information presented when
introducing problem frames to the picture.

Please let me know if you need to have any more information regarding
the shepherding process.

Due regards,
Susan

The paper on Problem Frame Patterns is one of the most interesting I
have read for this PLoP, which is not surprising considering the
authors. However, they did no work during the shepherding process,
producing only excuses. I imagine the shepherd is annoyed. However,
the paper is definitely ready to be workshopped. it is better written
than most of the papers that have finished shepherding. It is a
difficult topic, and the paper will take a lot more time for people to
read it. i have read the book "Problem Frames" at least three times,
and I think the paper is easier to read than the book, but that is not
saying much.

Problem Frames are an idea invented by Michael Jackson that provide a
way of categorizing problems. They should be a natural complement to
patterns, since patterns categorize solutions. Ideally, you'd start
with pattern frames and then would use some sort of catalog to go from
problem frames to patterns. However, this paper doesn't talk about
that at all. It just describes pattern frames, though in a way that
will appeal to patternistas. Problem Frames have the potential to
influence patterns dramatically.

I recommend we accept it.

The version on the web site is (unfortunately) the latest one.

-Ralph

Accept. Trust the authors will come up with an update. Quite a brain stretcher this one but if they can pull it
off to get a final version it brings up the intellectual level of the conference. Interesting idea to put the table
of contents on the front page ..;-)

-Lise