Today with the advent of Web 2.0, we are seeing dramatic changes in the way people interact with each other via the Internet. Blogs, Wikis, online communities, social networks, and distributed teams are just some of the ways these technologies are shaping our interactions. This book takes a look at collaboration and takes the position that for successful interactions it is important to deal with people, process and technology. David Coleman is an expert in the area of collaborative processes and technologies and Stewart Levine is an expert on how to get people to work together more effectively. Together David and Stewart encompass a holistic view of these new technologies and processes and help groups, teams, departments and organizations to work better and more effectively over time and distance. Chapter 1 examines what collaboration means, its definition, some benefits from collaboration, and how this book explores the subject. We also define “sustainable collaboration” and start to explain Stewart’s Law of Agreement. David then starts to set the context for an in-depth examination of collaboration technologies through a section called “The Technologies of Trust.” In chapter 2 we look at 10 different trends in collaboration, some of which are driving the move to collaboration 2.0. These 10 trends give the reader a more in-depth context for both the technologies and the market for them. In chapter 3 we examine the overall evolution of electronic collaboration starting with the social or genetic imperative for humans to be part of the “virtual herd.” Chapter 4 looks at Collaboration 1.0, or working face-to-face with a focus on content rather than the interaction between people. Some of the characteristics of Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 (Semantic Web) are also explored. In chapter 5 on Collaboration 2.0 we look at how the collaboration environment has changed today, and examine some of the characteristics of Web 2.0. Chapter 6 called Collaboration 2.5 looks at avatars, virtual worlds and 3D collaborative environments The chapter ends by looking at collaboration in social networks and how they interact with virtual worlds. Chapter 7 is focused on people and process and examines some of the challenges virtual teams have to deal with. We look at the 7 types of virtual teams, some of the background and history of distributed teams, and then examine why these teams fail. The chapter ends by looking at the methodologies of SNA (social network analysis) and VNA (value network analysis) as some ways organizations can start to look at communication and collaboration patterns with an eye towards optimization and applying the appropriate technologies. The chapter ends with a section about online communities and some best practices based on experiences working with these type of communities The technology is only as good as the people communicating within it. In part II of the book we shift from examining the aspects of process and technology into the critical components of interpersonal communication. In Chapter 8 we look at an overview of some of the fundamental components of interpersonal communication and some of the challenges they bring up. In Chapter 9 we move onto the critical tools and level of awareness essential to building an effective communication toolbox that can be used within any technology pathway. Chapter 10 Introduces “Resolutionary Thinking” as a critical mindset that contributes to effective and sustainable collaboration, coordination and cooperation. Chapter 11 is a reminder of the essential steps for forming teams and the stages they go through, weather co-located or virtual. It also shares a story of the value of a great team. Chapter 12 covers some fundamental truths about collaboration framed as the “Laws and Principles of Agreement.” Chapter 13 is about creating shared vision and a pathway to desired results embodied in “Agreements for Results.” It introduces the 10 Essential Elements of these agreements, and...
