This first- of-its-kind guide for the legal profession shows you how to use standard technology you already have and theHuman Factors in Collaboration Tools Efforts
The selection of software, web-based services and other collaboration tools is just one step in the process of a successful collaboration tools effort. The human element will play a gigantic role in determining the outcome of your projects.
In our new article on the local and global impact of collaboration tools," Collaborative Technologies: Working with Others Around the Corner or Around the World," in the July 2008 issue of the ABA's Law Practice Magazine, we included a sidebar listing six key factors in developing a collaborative culture and environment that will enhance collaboration tools implementations in your organization. Technology does not play a role in any of the factors.
The sidebar is called "Tips for Creating a Culture of Collaboration" and starts with the following observation:
The human and cultural behavior between your collaborators will drive, dictate and ultimately determine the success of your collaboration projects. In other words, collaboration is a profoundly human endeavor, and if you ignore or downplay the human factors, you are setting up your project for failure.
We offer these six tips (check out the article for details):
1. Know thyself.
2. Know thy collaborators.
3. Build on what works.
4. Investigate team-building and collaboration strategies.
5. Consider incentives and penalties.
6. Remember that culture is a moving target.
Knowledge management expert Jack Vinson recently posted on a similar topic at "Robertson: Ten tips for succeeding at collaboration." In the post, Jack comments on a presentation by James Robertson (available here) and highlights and comments on Robertson's key points:
1. Recognize when collaboration will work.
2. Understand where collaboration fits in.
3. Establish a portfolio of tools.
4. One tool will NOT unite them all.
5. Identify an owner of collaboration.
6. Define boundaries and relationships.
7. Establish policies and support.
8. Start by 'gardening.'
9. Focus on business needs.
10. Don't forget it's all about the people!
The money quote from Jack's post:
"'Pilot in an area that people care about.' Don't bother piloting in IT or in the KM team. They aren't normal people!"
Researching and evaluating software and technology is fun and it's where the money gets spent, but you'll do well to think about the human element and the human factors that will make the difference between successful and not-so-successful collaboration tools projects. In the best projects, people took the time to consider the cultural issues and align the tools to the culture. Set aside some time to think about it.
