Here we provide a graphical representation of the survey responses we received on the State of Collaboration.

We undertook this study on the State of Collaboration to understand and assess current practices in collaboration and future outlook on collaboration. Over 450 respondents participated in the survey conducted by All Collaboration in January and February 2010.

Key findings. Three main messages emerged from our survey responses.

1. Complex collaboration is already a significant work activity for many people, and will only grow in importance.
2. Successful collaboration requires mostly the good principles of project management applied to dispersed teams.
3. Keep it simple on the collaboration tools.

The survey instrument was composed of primarily four parts: 

1. Current Practices in Collaboration
2. Recent experience in Collaboration
3. Viewpoint on Collaboration
4. Demographic Information

Here we provide a graphic representation of responses to survey questions.

Current Practices in Collaboration

How frequently do you participate in collaborative projects or activities?

 How many collaboration projects do you have underway at a typical point in time?

What is the purpose of your collaborative efforts?

What is the scope of your collaborative efforts?

Which of the following collaboration tools do you use for your collaborative projects? 

Which collaboration tool do you use the MOST for your collaborative projects? 

Recent experience in Collaboration

What was the scope of your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience?

How many people were directly involved in your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience?

What was your role in your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience?

How frequently did your team meet face-to-face during your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience?

How would you judge the success of your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience?

Which of these elements contributed to the success or failure of your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience?

How helpful were the collaboration tools you used in your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience? 

Of the collaboration tools used in your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience, which tool was the MOST HELPFUL? 

Of the collaboration tools used in your ONE recently-completed collaboration experience, which tool was the LEAST HELPFUL? 

Viewpoint on Collaboration

How would rate the value of collaboration to the success of your business? 

What weighting points would you assign (must add to 10) to each of the following to improve effectiveness of collaboration in your organization?

What is the most important advice you would give to someone who is about to lead a major collaborative project?

How effective are collaboration tools? 

Of the collaboration tools you use, which tool is the MOST EFFECTIVE?

Of the collaboration tools you use, which tool is the LEAST EFFECTIVE?

Please rate yourself... a) I WANT to be able to collaborate, and b) I am ABLE to collaborate

Please rate your organization... a) My organization WANTS its employees to collaborate, and b) My organization's employees are ABLE to collaborate 

Demographic Information

How many people does your organization employ?

In which functional area do you work?

To which age group do you belong?

Where are you located?

Assessing the State of Collaboration: Return to Essential report expands on all key themes, illustrated by survey findings and quotes from respondents.  The appendix provides other survey responses.

The subtitle of this report, Return to Essentials, captures these themes.  It helps emphasize that collaboration has become or is becoming an essential for how enterprises get their business done.  At the same time we must all be careful about the latest fads in tools and approaches, because our survey respondents point out the importance of time-tested meeting-management practices and well-travelled communications tools as the best way to make collaboration effective.

About the Study

The primary objective of the study was to assess the state of Collaboration among individuals and in organizations. This includes:

• expectations, purpose and level of collaboration,
• use of collaboration tools and their effectiveness, and
• barriers to collaboration.

By collaboration, we mean working jointly with others.

Over 450 respondents participated in the survey conducted by All Collaboration in January and February 2010. Respondents came from all levels within organizations, all functional areas, a wide range of organization sizes, a wide range of industries with some concentration in consulting, and different regions although mostly North Americans. While there are some differences in emphasis, the general findings and conclusions are consistent across most of these groups.