Collaboration isn’t what it used to be! Or, is it?

Collaboration is nothing new, as we know. Trends in collaboration are increasing its significance in organizations. This promise of collaboration is also creating significantly increased complexity. Such is the potential and “curse” of collaboration.

In a guest post on Managing the Work blog, Skyscrapers of Complexity: Collaboration Demands Rigor, I outline the trends driving collaboration and sources of complexity in collaboration, in the context of the current state of collaboration. This is first part of a two-part post. The second part will focus on specific tips for managing this complexity in practice. I shall keep you posted.

What trends do you think are driving the importance of collaboration? What are the sources of complexity? What are your practical tips for managing complexity in collaboration?

Update on 26 May 2010 by Lokesh Datta

My two-part guest post for Managing the Work blog turned into a three-part post because of its length. Continuing with this theme of managing complexity in collaboration, Politics to siestas: Dealing with complexity in collaboration, offers practical tips on the first two elements of our 4 Ps Model for Effective collaboration, namely: Purpose and People. The next post with deal with remaining two Ps: Process and Place.

Politics to siestas: Dealing with complexity in collaboration on Managing the Work blog provides details and discussion; however, here are the bullet points on Purpose and People for managing complexity in collaboration.

Purpose

• Define goals/objectives and outcomes/deliverables clearly
• Outline what success looks like
• Articulate impact on the organization

People

• Use the minimalist approach for team size
• Ensure clearly-defined roles
• Go beyond the rational; account for the political
• Address cultural issues and language barriers up front
• Flatten hierarchy
• Articulate impact of and for each team member

I shall keep you posted as to when the 3^rd part is published.

What are your practical tips for managing complexity in collaboration?



Update on 01 June 2010 by Lokesh Datta

The 3rd part of my three-part guest post for Managing the Work blog is now available. Process & Place: Dealing with Complexity in Collaboration offers practical tips on the last two elements of our 4 Ps Model for Effective collaboration, namely: Process and Place. You can find details and discussion in the post; however, here are the bullet points on Process and Place for managing complexity in collaboration.

Process

• Design the process for the effort
• Be flexible
• Inject transparency
• Plan for managing security and compliance issues

Place

• Include face-to-face meeting
• Select the right tools for the effort
• Keep it simple on tools
• Ensure training and comfort with use of tools
• Lead through tools and enforce discipline

What are your practical tips for managing complexity in collaboration?



Update on 25 December 2010 by Lokesh Datta

See Related Posts:

• Managing Complexity in Collaboration Demands Rigor
• You Have Been Asked to Run a Complex Collaboration Project... Now What?
• The Four Ps of Effective Collaboration
• The 4Ps of Effective Collaboration - Redux
• Cultural Assumptions and Challenges
• Collaboration = Cooperative Behavior + Assertive Behavior
• Use Visuals to Improve Collaboration Effectiveness
• Furthering the Case for Using Graphics
• Organizing the UI for a Wiki - Finding the right balance
• Effective Collaboration is Supposed to Look "Messy"!
• You Couldn't Do This By TelePresence
• How’s your collaboration effort going?
• Articulate the Purpose of Your Collaboration Effort!
• Successful Collaboration: Good project management principles applied to dispersed teams
• Avoiding a Bad Communication
• Author! Author! Author! – Effective Collaborative Writing
• Collaboration Is More than Team Building and Management
• Mind the Language Barrier
• Tips for Effective Collaboration

Comments

[Fabrice Talbot]

Of course collaboration isn't what it used to be. Or at least it shouldn't be. But that's a good thing! There are a lot of new document collaboration tools that can make providing feedback easier.

I was actually planning to write a post on document collaboration trends (in specific) myself, next week. Untill then, I'm looking forward to reading yours.

Fabrice Talbot
Blog: http://www.agilewords.com

[Lokesh Datta]

Fabrice,

I agree with you completely! The challenge often is having collaborators use the tools consistently and not reverting back to "old ways" of doing things, which can make the process an even bigger mess.

I look forward to your post!

Thank you, Lokesh