What are Focus Groups?

During the 1995 AXiS Conference a number of delegates expressed interest in joining together to discuss topics that were of current concern to their business. For the scheme to work the 'potential members' laid down fairly strict guidelines:

The meetings should be 'free' - this is in recognition that budgets for external events are tight or non-existent. Meetings are therefore held whenever possible on user or vendor premises (avoiding room hire). The host on occasions may provide food, if not we feed in the 'canteen' or adjacent hostelry at low cost!

The commitment to membership is not open ended - normally Focus Groups hold two or three meetings to address current issues. They are then disbanded. They can, of course continue if that is what the membership wants. There is no 'administrative burden on the chairperson or members - a facilitator is provided who arranges speakers and sends out calling notices etc. Normally speakers are arranged for the morning session - these are a mixture of presentations about the topics identified and discussions led by someone who can contribute meaningfully. The afternoon is devoted to members sharing their experiences, both successes and failures. The whole ethos of the group is membership contribution - often by providing documentation (eg management awareness papers, reports) which are frequently 'adapted' with minor changes for use on member sites.

AXiS currently has the following active Focus Groups (hot links are to either a group's home page or the latest report of the relevant group :

Cross-Platform Development (Chairman : Harold Cloutt email : cloutt.hr@bcs.org.uk )

Trimetra User Group (Secretary : Don Folland email : dfolland@axis.org.uk )

Others are planned. If you have ideas about issues for new Focus Groups please contact a member of the Executive Committee.

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This page updated 28th January 2002 Copyright © AXiS, 2002