Methods and Apparatuses for a collaborative effort from a group of participants on an issue-exploration process on one or more client machines are discussed. A form-based Internet application that consists of a systematic structure of a series of tab forms to set up a framework for a collaborative effort from a group of participants on an issue-exploration process is configured for an initial issue. The form-based Internet application via the series of tab forms is configured to enable and collect knowledge and insights from the group of participants during the stages of the issue-exploration process. The form-based Internet application has an open framework with the stages of the issue-exploration process in that an actual content of the ideas contributed by participants actively shapes a non-linear progression of the issue-exploration process from the initial issue to the current issue in the issue-exploration process.