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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?