Support for tailoring CSCW systems: adaptation by composition

In the last few years it has been realized that flexibility and tailorability are key requirements for software systems in general and for CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work) systems in particular. An important mechanism for providing tailorability is the creation of compound functionality by the composition of specialized modules. In this paper we identify two variants of this composition approach. We characterize the variants according to their properties from the users perspective. Then we demonstrate how both variants can be combined in the same application. The variants complement each other and together result in a clearer access to the tailoring support for the user.