"Collaboration" – buzz or real?

Gartner said that “portal” is the most misused term in IT. I would say that “collaboration” is even more misused, or at least the runner up. I’ve seen it used to describe document management systems, Facebook and LinkedIn-type network spaces, content publishing workflows, and on and on. If something is being done or implemented for the sake of “collaboration”, it must be a good thing!

Bruce Levin of Four Groups has written an article “The Tension in Collaboration“. It talks through different angles around collaboration. I’m not familiar with and not promoting the 4G method described by Bruce in the article, but recommend reading his piece if you’d like a review of the subject.

Summary of the article (I quote):

“There is a tension at the heart of our efforts to collaborate. This tension and its possible resolution is best captured by the following questions.

* Should we be putting people first, before technology, in our efforts to collaborate?

* Does collaboration benefit from a more formal process?

* Can collaboration be encouraged in a replicable and systematic manner (as much as anything concerning people can be repeatable and systematic)?

* Does the lack of a formal process for optimising collaboration hold back productivity and performance?

This article attempts to answer these questions and shine new light on what constitutes successful collaboration.

One Response to “"Collaboration" – buzz or real?”

1. Michael Sampson Says:
   August 26th, 2008 at 6:03 am

   Absolutely agree about the term being overused Jane … and it has been for at least 4 years.
   Thanks for the link to Bruce’s article.
   M.

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