How thinking concretely about and supporting 1-to-1 relationships within a collaboration can make it much more effective. Was the basis of a discussion at the Radical Real Time online Unconference on June 5, 2010

1. 1 Relationship and Virtual Collaboration Design Radical Real-Time June 5, 2010 1 1

2. 2 For the next hour… Describe a method of building stronger online collaborations by combining (on the same platform) A specific social networking approach and Structured problem solving Share a partial “inspiration” (very successful) Share a more thorough partial implementation Identify some challenges Discuss how to improve approach and overcome challenges

3. For the next hour… Describe a method of building stronger online collaborations by combining (on the same platform) A specific social networking approach and Structured problem solving Share a partial “inspiration” (very successful) Share a more thorough partial implementation Fast !! Identify some challenges Discuss how to improve approach and overcome challenges 3

4. 4 Broader discussion Questions Ideas for improvement How is this different or the same from what you’ve seen elsewhere? What else should we be thinking about?

6. Managing the human elements+ Diverse perspectives and expertise

7. 6 Collaborative success comes from conversations that generate: Solutions Meta-knowledge (other people to talk with) Problem reformulation Source: Rob Cross, Lee Sproull, More than an answer: Information Relationships for Actionable Knowledge; ORGANIZATION SCIENCE, Vol. 15, No. 4, July-August 2004, pp. 446-462

8. 7 Wiki Success requires many ingredients Right processes to start Important issue + + Right processes to maintain = + + Right people + + Right information Trusted connection + Right support

9. 8 We know we can’t just throw people in a room and get a team that works well.. Picture by Allan Edwards, Flickr

10. 9 …and a technologically-enabled process must meet technical and social needs.

11. 10 Human element critical to collaboration Usually what the designer has in mind Often not thought about explicitly

12. 11 Creating strong relationships requires specific mindset and actions Move forward Listen Help the other person Remove barriers Reengage after inevitable setbacks Maintain steady contact Commit to Other’s Growth and Development

13. 12 People who are looking for help should: Offer to help first Display a general motive to help Know the business case for getting help – how important is this project (really) Make the interaction as effective as possible

14. 13 13 Polymath is an online math problem solving network – and an inspiration

15. 14 14 Polymath collaboration structure

16. 15 15 Polymath results

17. 16 16 Civic Connect is project of Civic Consulting Alliance

18. 17 17 CCA wanted to capitalize on its alumni and friends Network of alumni and friends Consultants and other professionals energized about the organization Have full-time jobs with intermittent opportunities (e.g., week between projects) Extremely well-connected Part of large offices with other professionals in Chicago Members of large multi-national firms Existing mechanisms 5th Thursday cocktail parties (2-4 x per year) E-newsletter (about 800) LinkedIn group (about 150)

22. 19 Solution advancing and conversation process

24. What problem-solving experience continue to influence your thinking and approach to new problems?

25. What books or people have influenced your thinking about problem-solving?

26. What broad scale issues or problems most capture your attention today?

28. 22 22 22 Good topics to drive participation focus on the members as people Ask them generically about themselves. Ask about likes/dislikes. Get people to agree/re-affirmation their beliefs. Discuss seasonal stories. Anxieties. Ask for advice. Breaking news/gossip. Reminisce. Aspirations. Treat members like people !!! Suggested in FeverBee by Richard Millington

29. 23 Problem-solving with hypothesis-driven “inch pebbles”

30. 24 Sample “inch pebbles”

31. 25 Challenges of the launch

32. 26 Other challenges Developing a suitable technology (alpha site now migrated to new technology) Managing the community

33. 27 Broader discussion Questions Ideas for improvement How is this different or the same from what you’ve seen elsewhere? What else should we be thinking about?