November 18, 2009, 6:59 AM — According to research, eighty percent of the future collaborative work approach will be inspired by Web 2.0 technologies . As we know, the Web 2.0 meme is based on the collaborative approach to nearly everything technology related, but specifically information creation/delivery and product management.
As more companies are turning to cloud-based solutions to business computing needs - including ERP, business intelligence, product testing and technical documentation - it becomes more obvious that Web 2.0 has much to do with the way things are shaping up in enterprise technology.
However, between “old schoolers” - and the new breed of savvy technologists that will soon flood the technology workforce – and beyond social networking and content mash-ups - there is more about Web 2.0 that can benefit business organizations. At this point however, the trick is in making the smooth transition from file-based and offline methodologies to the collaborative “always on” approach. Read on to discover some tips:
1) Introduce the idea carefully by explaining the business and operational reasons for adopting the new approach. One reason that most CIOs and CTOs favored the transition to online computing is due to the financial pressure being put on their departments to cut costs. As a rule, productivity, quality, and cost are the best ideas to start from.
2) Work with end-users on identifying features of cloud-based or collaborative applications that the end-users find useful. This method will allow you to identify the best solutions for end-user productivity and project delivery needs - as well as identify the weaknesses involved in the plan.
3) Work with a project sponsor who will champion and support the transition from old methods and applications to Web 2.0-style methodologies and technologies. Someone from top-level management, who can appreciate the adoption of new solutions and processes, can help you convince project stakeholders – including both management and the organization as a whole.
4) Do your homework and study your options. Selling the idea of adopting collaborative methodologies is not enough. You need to back up your claim about the benefits of this idea in terms of output quality, productivity, and cost. At the same time, identify possible impacts on staffing, scheduling, and the overall processes that are already in place. For instance, does the idea enhance the process or will employees only end up with more paperwork?
5) Consider beta testing. Both traditional and collaborative styles have their own respective advantages and disadvantages. Pick out the features of both approaches that will work for the enterprise, and retain and adopt accordingly. A good way to start is by beta testing solutions and processes with a sample group of end-users.
By ExecutiveBrief, project management resource
