Ten tips for succeeding at collaboration James Robertson, Step Two Designs (jamesr@steptwo.com.au)

TIP 1: Get ahead of the curve

TIP 2: Recognise when collaboration will work

clear purpose

common sense of community

Testing a few real-world examples Staff buy and swap area  Designing the new office space  Reviewing the new web strategy  Project collaboration  Sharing subject-matter expertise ?

TIP 3: Understand where collaboration fits in

Corporate Division Unit Team Individual

Corporate

Corporate DMS Corporate intranet

Individual

Individual

Division Unit Team

“ Inwards” “ Outwards”

Collaboration Publishing

TIP 4: Establish a portfolio of tools

Wikis Blogs Discussion groups Forums Team spaces Instant messaging Fileshares Mailing lists Intranet pages

Wikis

Blogs

Discussion groups

Forums

Team spaces

Instant messaging

Fileshares

Mailing lists

Intranet pages

TIP 5: Identify an owner of collaboration

TIP 6: Define boundaries and relationships

Collaboration Publishing

Collaboration Publishing Promoting Linking

TIP 7: Establish policies and support

Policies, governance and guidance ‘ At a glance’ overview of whole tool set Guidelines for selecting an appropriate tool Simple policies on when to use collaboration tools, ownership and usage practices ‘ Quick start’ guides for each tool set Automated usage stats for all collaboration tools Regular ‘housekeeping’ review of collaboration spaces Ongoing mentoring, support and training

‘ At a glance’ overview of whole tool set

Guidelines for selecting an appropriate tool

Simple policies on when to use collaboration tools, ownership and usage practices

‘ Quick start’ guides for each tool set

Automated usage stats for all collaboration tools

Regular ‘housekeeping’ review of collaboration spaces

Ongoing mentoring, support and training

TIP 8: Start by “gardening”

TIP 9: Focus on business needs

TIP 10: Don’t forget it’s all about people!

Questions? Stay in touch: James Robertson [email_address] Website: www.steptwo.com.au Blog: www.steptwo.com.au/columntwo Articles : www.steptwo.com.au/papers/subscribe Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7095593237

Stay in touch:

James Robertson [email_address]

Website: www.steptwo.com.au

Blog: www.steptwo.com.au/columntwo

Articles : www.steptwo.com.au/papers/subscribe

Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7095593237