The 2G method applied in a post-usage evaluation application

Abstract: There exist several methods, which can be used for evaluation of commercially available CASE-tools. Each method has its own focus and is based on specific underlying assumptions. There have been attempts to standardise evaluation of CASE-tools; however available methods differs much from each other. One such method, named the 2G method has been proposed, which for each application, will establish a specific evaluation framework. This framework is tailored to the organisation at a specific point in time (since an organisation will change over time). The method consists of two phases which are iterated a sufficient number of times before a stable evaluation framework will be the result. The 2G method has been successfully applied on several applications in different organisations, though only for evaluation of CASE-tools before adoption. In this dissertation we report on an application of the 2G method, which aims to evaluate a CASE-tool from a company context which has already adopted a CASE-tool. As part of this method application the 2G method has also been transferred to the organisation. An additional issue this dissertation addresses is what kind of support a general Qualitative Research Tool will offer a method user when using the tool in a 2G method application. Likewise the goal includes to establish is what is poorly or unsupported in such tool in a 2G application. This dissertation will show that the 2G method is applicable also in a scenario where a CASE-tool has already been adopted, and therefore demonstrate that the method also is useful in evaluation studies performed after a CASE-tool has been adopted in an organisation. From the experiences of the application points will be made concerning what kind of support one would like to have in a qualitative research tool to simplify the work during the 2G applications.