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Presents findings from a study undertaken to identify some of the conversational issues in the production of knowledge in cross‐functional work redesign groups. Illustrates what may be key sources of miscommunication based in differing conversational relevance. Postulates that the recognition of relevance and, by extension, the recognition of a valid contribution, is influenced by the manner of discourse or speech style. Feels that the language behaviours as disclosed in the analysis can be inhibiting to the work of cross‐functional teams responsible for a variety of organizational change processes, including IS development and workflow redesign.

The guest editor's editorial speaks for itself in introducing the scope of this special issue on prototyping. As a general overview of the contribution, from a farther perspective than the authors—all system developers or prototyping practitioners—I submit the following brief comments.

Clerical workers in an office scheduled for the installation of an office information system were interviewed regarding the social and technical organization of their work. The interviews were designed to disclose some of the actual practices involved in accomplishing procedural tasks. An analysis of the interview responses focusses on three requirements of procedural work: (1) the application of general guidelines to the problems of particular cases, (2) the co‐ordination of actions and revisions with other participants in a transaction, both within the office and outside, and (3) accomodation to the practical exigencies of handling paper documents. The conclusion suggests some broad implications of these issues of procedural work in a traditional office environment for the design of office information systems.

Analyses teen phone behaviour – regarding conversational skills among some boys with girls. Reveals some interesting household co‐ordination and parental supervision issues around the use of the telephone. Concludes that, as there is an advance in technology, more and more services will be used creatively to resolve conflict between social control and monitoring and individual identity.