Comments on: Reflections on the Nature of Collaboration http://www.theappgap.com/reflections-on-the-nature-of-collaboration.html Apps, Strategies, and Best Practices for Web-based work Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:56:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jenny Ambrozek http://www.theappgap.com/reflections-on-the-nature-of-collaboration.html/comment-page-1#comment-1709 Jenny Ambrozek Fri, 23 May 2008 13:28:36 +0000 http://www.theappgap.com/reflections-on-the-nature-of-collaboration.html#comment-1709 Shiv, Reading your post I couldn't help but recall the most impressive strategic collaboration initiative I've enountered, presented at the 2004 Network Roundtable by Mars head of research. And the technology used was not what is traditionally considered a collaboration tool or "Enterprise 2.0". The case is described pages 32-33 in this Leading Edge Forum document "Extreme Data: Rethinking the 'I' in IT". http://se.country.csc.com/sv/kl/uploads/1715_1.pdf Essentially the head of research was concerned about ensuring knowledge sharing across researchers and their groups to sustain innovation. Network analysis was used to identify who was and was not connected, and who needed to know whom. An nTag system was programmed and researchers attending an annual conference sent out in teams to make strategic connections. In his comment Bob Lancaster points to the time pressures that prohibit collaboration. That's a reality and from what I see of growing computer connectedness and information abundance, one that will become more challenging rather than less. However, I think you can also make the case that on strategically mission critical innovation and projects organizations cannot afford for people not to collaborate. I've heard the Network Roundtable's Rob Cross (www.thenetworkroundtable.org) on multiple occasions make the point that today's opportunity and challenge is understanding where expertise is in an organization and facilitating the connections that can create value as Mars did. This 2006 Business Week articles cites other examples of companies strategically using organizational network analysis to facilitate bottom line valuable collaborations. http://tinyurl.com/4q4arh ~ Jenny Ambrozek Shiv, Reading your post I couldn’t help but recall the most impressive strategic collaboration initiative I’ve enountered, presented at the 2004 Network Roundtable by Mars head of research. And the technology used was not what is traditionally considered a collaboration tool or “Enterprise 2.0″. The case is described pages 32-33 in this Leading Edge Forum document “Extreme Data: Rethinking the ‘I’ in IT”. http://se.country.csc.com/sv/kl/uploads/1715_1.pdf

Essentially the head of research was concerned about ensuring knowledge sharing across researchers and their groups to sustain innovation. Network analysis was used to identify who was and was not connected, and who needed to know whom. An nTag system was programmed and researchers attending an annual conference sent out in teams to make strategic connections.

In his comment Bob Lancaster points to the time pressures that prohibit collaboration. That’s a reality and from what I see of growing computer connectedness and information abundance, one that will become more challenging rather than less. However, I think you can also make the case that on strategically mission critical innovation and projects organizations cannot afford for people not to collaborate.

I’ve heard the Network Roundtable’s Rob Cross (www.thenetworkroundtable.org) on multiple occasions make the point that today’s opportunity and challenge is understanding where expertise is in an organization and facilitating the connections that can create value as Mars did. This 2006 Business Week articles cites other examples of companies strategically using organizational network analysis to facilitate bottom line valuable collaborations. http://tinyurl.com/4q4arh

~ Jenny Ambrozek

]]> By: Bob Lancaster http://www.theappgap.com/reflections-on-the-nature-of-collaboration.html/comment-page-1#comment-1681 Bob Lancaster Wed, 21 May 2008 18:00:02 +0000 http://www.theappgap.com/reflections-on-the-nature-of-collaboration.html#comment-1681 I agree with your insights on the nature of collaboration but I think there is one aspect that is often overlooked. Collaboration takes time and many people just don’t have the time to collaborate. In addition to helping organizations identify natural collaborators and those who need to collaborate, Enterprise 2.0 solutions also need ways to involve the time constrained and the non-collaborator. I know this is possible because (warning shameless plug) our E2.0 application calc{list} does just that. We call it “passive automation” which is a very simple emergent collaborative system. Even the slightest of interactions in calc{list} can contribute significantly to the collaborative efforts of the organization. Enterprise 2.0 solution providers must find creative ways to involve the time constrained because often their contributions will be of very high value. I agree with your insights on the nature of collaboration but I think there is one aspect that is often overlooked. Collaboration takes time and many people just don’t have the time to collaborate. In addition to helping organizations identify natural collaborators and those who need to collaborate, Enterprise 2.0 solutions also need ways to involve the time constrained and the non-collaborator.

I know this is possible because (warning shameless plug) our E2.0 application calc{list} does just that. We call it “passive automation” which is a very simple emergent collaborative system. Even the slightest of interactions in calc{list} can contribute significantly to the collaborative efforts of the organization.

Enterprise 2.0 solution providers must find creative ways to involve the time constrained because often their contributions will be of very high value.

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