I call these boundary objects, and they are a major method of solving
heterogeneous problems. Boundary objects are objects that are both plastic
enough to adapt to local needs and constraints of the several parties
employing them, yet robust enough to maintain a common identity across
sites. They are weakly structured in common use, and become strongly
structured in individual-site use.
Like a blackboard, a boundary object "sits in the middle" of a group of
actors with divergent viewpoints. Crucially, however, there are different
types of boundary objects depending on the characteristics of the
heterogeneous information being joined to create them. (Star, 1989, pp.
46-47. Emphasis in original)
