To Wiki or not to Wiki? Evelyn So 12 th August 2008

“ A wiki is a collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content” Wikipedia

“ A wiki is a collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content”

Wikipedia

Parallel Collaboration

Innovations The MUST HAVE! syndrome

Innovations

The MUST HAVE! syndrome

Wiki is new … Collaboration is not

Wiki is new …

Collaboration is not

Linear Collaboration

Approval-based process

Make new friends, but don’t forget old ones Document versions Single editor Corporate requirements Email Best practice Web –based collaboration E.g. Webex, Conceptspace (visual) Face to face!! Review session Whiteboarding PROCESSES, CULTURE, STRATEGIC NEEDS, $$

Document versions

Single editor

Corporate requirements

Email

Best practice

Web –based collaboration

E.g. Webex, Conceptspace (visual)

Face to face!!

Review session

Whiteboarding

PROCESSES, CULTURE, STRATEGIC NEEDS, $$

Document tracking Works if … Owner-based Limited revisions

Voting via MS Outlook Works if … Quick response Limited options

Wikis work well … WHO For groups that already know each other. (87% of organizations use wikis for internal , 27% using them externally) For groups that are motivated to use new technology tools. For users who are empowered in a collaborative environment with good support. WHAT For projects that require instant collaboration – local or remote For projects that require instant archiving (every page revision is kept) For assembling quick ideas instead of/in prep for formal documentation. For "co-assembly" in addition to "co-editing“ i.e. Individuals contribute different pieces of a whole. When a clear nucleus is provided. Users are more likely to "edit" than "create", relying on an established framework. With a clear, well-defined, final product in mind (note: timeframe!) With short deadlines as they are easy to build. For documenting consensus rather than opinions.

WHO

For groups that already know each other. (87% of organizations use wikis for internal , 27% using them externally)

For groups that are motivated to use new technology tools.

For users who are empowered in a collaborative environment with good support.

WHAT

For projects that require instant collaboration – local or remote

For projects that require instant archiving (every page revision is kept)

For assembling quick ideas instead of/in prep for formal documentation.

For "co-assembly" in addition to "co-editing“ i.e. Individuals contribute different pieces of a whole.

When a clear nucleus is provided. Users are more likely to "edit" than "create", relying on an established framework.

With a clear, well-defined, final product in mind (note: timeframe!)

With short deadlines as they are easy to build.

For documenting consensus rather than opinions.

Who Demographics GenX GenY (and younger) Seniors Technographics Technophile Technophobic Company Culture Inertia, slow to change Eager to change etc.

Demographics

GenX

GenY (and younger)

Seniors

Technographics

Technophile

Technophobic

Company Culture

Inertia, slow to change

Eager to change

etc.

Watch out for … Can be and will be messy In some situations, counter-effective or dangerous to show half-formed and speculative ideas Need to patrol and handle possible power struggling Does not replace human administrative maintenance Does not replace formal documentation Will be a learning curve for non-tech-savvy

Can be and will be messy

In some situations, counter-effective or dangerous to show half-formed and speculative ideas

Need to patrol and handle possible power struggling

Does not replace human administrative maintenance

Does not replace formal documentation

Will be a learning curve for non-tech-savvy

Choosing a Wiki Wikipedia.org Comparison of Wiki software Commercial and hosted software Wikimatrix.org Side by side comparison User forum Copyright @2008

Wikipedia.org

Comparison of Wiki software

Commercial and hosted software

Wikimatrix.org

Side by side comparison

User forum

Before you go Wiki-Diving… Try it out - Lurk or Contribute Evaluate - Who, Why, What, When, How Pick tool(s) - Wiki? Not-Wiki? Mix & Match? Gain support – Educate, Evangelize Pilot – Run, Review

Try it out - Lurk or Contribute

Evaluate - Who, Why, What, When, How

Pick tool(s) - Wiki? Not-Wiki? Mix & Match?

Gain support – Educate, Evangelize

Pilot – Run, Review

Evelyn So President, Noesium Consulting Inc. Evelyn.So@noesium .com http://noesium.wordpress.com Copyright @2008

Evelyn So President, Noesium Consulting Inc. Evelyn.So@noesium .com http://noesium.wordpress.com