The 4Ps of Effective Collaboration - Redux

It has been about a year since we wrote about the 4Ps framework for effective collaboration.  Since then we have found this to be a useful and robust perspective.  So often we see that good results come from the proper balancing of the Purpose, People, Process, and Place (including tools) for each collaboration project. 

We will continue to apply this framework and, in the meantime, thought it valuable to revisit it with a richer media presentation.  The following is a video presentation of The 4 Ps of Effective Collaboration.  Please share your comments, experiences, and reactions below in the comments section.

Update on 25 December 2010 by Lokesh Datta

See Related Posts:

• You Have Been Asked to Run a Complex Collaboration Project... Now What?
• Assessing the State of Collaboration: Return to Essentials
• Managing Complexity in Collaboration Demands Rigor
• How’s your collaboration effort going?
• Articulate the Purpose of Your Collaboration Effort!
• Current Practices in Virtual Team Management
• Collaboration Is More than Team Building and Management
• Managing Virtual Teams
• The What and Why of Enterprise 2.0



Managing Complexity in Collaboration Demands Rigor

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. We begin by outlining the trends propelling collaboration and the sources of complexity in collaboration. We then use our holistic 4 Ps Model of Effective Collaboration, to ensure that we address the challenge of managing complexity in collaboration holistically as well.

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If You Can’t Pass the Ball, You Can’t play!

Updated on 25 December 2010 by Lokesh Datta

So said Coach Dean Smith to Michael Jordan in his freshman (first) year at the University of North Carolina (UNC)! As we know now, Michael went on to become arguably the greatest player in the NBA history, leading his team, the Chicago Bulls, to six championships. Coach Smith could see the talent and leadership potential in Michael but that was not enough. Michael could play a key role on the team, but Michael also had to learn to collaborate effectively with his teammates, to be a winner. As the Coach knew, all players, not just the presumed best, have individual roles to play, in collaboration with others, to achieve the mission of winning. Individual excellence is expected and appreciated; however, it is necessary but not sufficient.

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The PEOPLE Affected by Collaboration

Updated on 25 December 2010 by Lokesh Datta

As a reader of this blog, you are well aware of what I am about to say - effective collaboration can only be achieved through a holistic approach consisting of the 4 P’s: Purpose, People, Process and Place. And while I am in agreement with this approach, I firmly believe that PEOPLE is the most important of the 4 P’s. Without people, there would be no collaboration. You need other PEOPLE around you to work with you in your PLACE to identify a PURPOSE and collaborate within your business PROCESSES. So who are the people that are most important in collaboration?

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BP Oil Spill - Unmitigated Disaster in Collaboration

Updated on 11 June 2010 by Lokesh Datta

Updated on 25 December 2010 by Lokesh Datta

I must begin by saying that this is not a political post; this is not about bashing BP or the US administration. Second, although I do confess to being a news-junkie, I have the same limited knowledge of the situation that is available to all of you. I am no more plugged into the administration or BP than I am plugged into the hole one mile underwater in the ocean. More than one month after the start of this disaster, here is how I see it from a collaboration standpoint. I shall use our 4 Ps Model for Effective Collaboration: Purpose, People, Process and Place.

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