Relationships and virtual collaboration design
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Transcript of Relationships and virtual collaboration design
11
Relationship and Virtual Collaboration Design
June 5, 2010 1
Radical Real-Time
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For the next hour…
• Describe a method of building stronger online collaborations by combining (on the same platform)– A specific social
networking approach and
– Structured problem solving
• Share a partial “inspiration” (very successful)
• Share a more thorough partial implementation
• Identify some challenges
• Discuss how to improve approach and overcome challenges
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For the next hour…
• Describe a method of building stronger online collaborations by combining (on the same platform)– A specific social
networking approach and
– Structured problem solving
• Share a partial “inspiration” (very successful)
• Share a more thorough partial implementation
• Identify some challenges
• Discuss how to improve approach and overcome challenges
Fast !!
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Broader discussion
• Questions• Ideas for improvement• How is this different or the same
from what you’ve seen elsewhere?• What else should we be thinking
about?
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Collaboration process promises benefits
• Better solutions due to cognitive diversity
• More commitment to the results, because we were part of creating them
Diverse perspectives and expertise
Methods for:
• Integrating diverse views
• Managing the human elements
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• Solutions• Meta-knowledge
(other people to talk with)
• Problem reformulation
Source: Rob Cross, Lee Sproull, More than an answer: Information Relationships for Actionable Knowledge; ORGANIZATION SCIENCE, Vol. 15, No. 4, July-August 2004, pp. 446-462
Collaborative success comes from
conversations that generate:
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Right people
Trusted connection
Right processes to start
Right information
Right processes to maintain
Right support
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Wiki
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Important issue
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Success requires many ingredients
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We know we can’t just throw people in a room and get a team that works well..
Picture by Allan Edwards, Flickr
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…and a technologically-enabled process must meet technical and social needs.
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Human element critical to collaboration
Usually what the designer has in mind
Often not thought about explicitly
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Move forward
• Listen
• Help the other person
Remove barriers
• Reengage after inevitable setbacks
• Maintain steady contact
Commit to Other’s
Growth and Development
Creating strong relationships requires specific mindset and actions
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People who are looking for help should:
• Offer to help first• Display a general
motive to help• Know the business
case for getting help – how important is this project (really)
• Make the interaction as effective as possible
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Polymath is an online math problem solving network – and an inspiration
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Polymath collaboration structure
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Polymath results
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Civic Connect is project of Civic Consulting Alliance
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CCA wanted to capitalize on its alumni and friends
• Network of alumni and friends– Consultants and
other professionals energized about the organization
– Have full-time jobs with intermittent opportunities (e.g., week between projects)
– Extremely well-connected
• Part of large offices with other professionals in Chicago
• Members of large multi-national firms
• Existing mechanisms– 5th Thursday
cocktail parties (2-4 x per year)
– E-newsletter (about 800)
– LinkedIn group (about 150)
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One platform provides both social network and problem solving approach
Focused social network
• Profiles• Answers to
questions
Problem solving methodStructured
asynchronous• Inch pebbles• Analysis resultsExecuted through• Discussion forums
(topics being address)
• Wiki pages (fixed items)
Structured synchronous
• Sandwich meetings
Executed through Webex (or similar)
Facilitated with Compendium
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Solution advancing and conversation process
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Individual profile help get interactions started
CCA-Pilot Q&A is critical:• What are you good at helping people
with?• What problem-solving experience
continue to influence your thinking and approach to new problems?
• What books or people have influenced your thinking about problem-solving?
• What broad scale issues or problems most capture your attention today?
• What have you done to help someone (don't have to name names!!) who is also in Civic Connect?
Identifying objectives is critical:• What are you trying to accomplish (so
others can help you)?
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Community owners can use tactics that drive participation
• Talk to influentials more, others less.
• Increase the number of interactions.
• Solicit opinions – People with vested interests – Create a challenge to overcome, – Create a poll, allow people to vote.
• Remove unused features. • Mention names more often. • Arrange time-specific activities. • Advertise for a volunteer helper.
Ideas adapted from FeverBee – by Richard Millington
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Good topics to drive participation focus on the members as people
• Ask them generically about themselves.
• Ask about likes/dislikes. • Get people to agree/re-
affirmation their beliefs. • Discuss seasonal stories.• Anxieties. • Ask for advice. • Breaking news/gossip. • Reminisce. • Aspirations.
Suggested in FeverBee by Richard Millington
Treat members like people !!!
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Problem-solving with hypothesis-driven “inch pebbles”
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Sample “inch pebbles”
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Challenges of the launch
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Other challenges
• Developing a suitable technology (alpha site now migrated to new technology)
• Managing the community
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Broader discussion
• Questions• Ideas for improvement• How is this different or the same
from what you’ve seen elsewhere?• What else should we be thinking
about?