What are the requirements on computer-an d telecommunications-based tools to aid groups i n producing intellectual products? In this article we examine research collaborations as a particularl y informative example of group work and propose a framework for describing research collaboratio n that should provide guidance to those developin g technology to support collaborative work. Th e framework is based on 50 semistructured interview s with researchers in psychology, managemen t science, and computer science . It focuses on th e problems in forming and maintaining persona l relationships and completing tasks that researcher s must solve to have a successful collaboration . Thes e problems occur when collaborators are initiatin g projects, executing them, and documenting results .