Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Collaboration What do we mean by collaboration? – Shared or common goals? What is the difference? By shared generally it is meant that everyone shares in the same success or failure. Everyone in a race has a common goal, but there are winners and losers. – Collaboration makes effective use of time, talent and tools.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Ownership Collaboration means a level of joint ownership for success or failure. This is true when developing code, collaborating on a presentation or providing feedback.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ The Objective of Collaboration Provide multiple inputs to the final product. Benefit from multiple viewpoints. Provide support for weak points

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ The Myth of the Cowboy I can do it myself. I can do it better Great products have been done by individuals.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ The Myth of the Cowboy Most products are to complex to be done alone. Even the best writers have independent editors.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Trust Fear or distrust among collaborators leads to withholding information. Distrust leads to the fear that some else will take credit.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Sharing – Ideas need to flow between individuals. – By sharing collective creation is improved.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Goals – There are different levels of goals Corporate Project Personal – Shared goals aligns everyone in the same direction.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Innovation – Why collaborate if you are only maintaining the status quo? – Collaboration stimulates new ideas. – Collaboration encourages diverse ideas.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Environment – A free flowing environment allows the free flow of ideas. – The environment needs to allow the informal exchange of ideas. – The challenge is to create this environment for virtual teams.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Collaborative chaos – Collaborative chaos is the unstructured exchange of ideas. – Order creates predictable results. – Many of the greatest ideas are accidents.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Constructive confrontation – There will be strong opinions. – There is a need to avoid group think. Confrontation must neither be emotional or personal – Keep conflicts objective and focused on the task at hand.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Communication – Open communication is the key to collaboration. – Can there be collaboration without communication. – Team members should feel comfortable engaging one another.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Community – The fundamental question is, are there shared interests and goals? – If there is no community then how can there be collaboration.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Elements of Collaboration Value – The overriding objective is to create value through collaboration.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Attributes of Collaboration Frequent interaction – For collaboration to be effective interaction must happen when needed. – Delay lets hot ideas cool down.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Attributes of Collaboration Power spread among the team – True collaboration does not happen if there is a single decision maker. – Everyone on the team must feel as if they have a voice in the decision process.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Attributes of Collaboration People are accessible – Limiting the channels of communication limits the flow of ideas. – This limits the opportunities for collaboration.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Attributes of Collaboration Reduce the fear of failure – Fear of failure makes people defensive. – Fear of failure makes people hold on to positions. – Fear of failure makes people protective of the their ideas.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Attributes of Collaboration Broad input into decisions – When people believe their opinion counts they are more open to offering their opinion.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Attributes of Collaboration Unscheduled and less structured interactions – Scheduled interactions tend to limit creativity. – Collaboration needs to be spontaneous.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Collaboration in Writing Listen effectively Communicate Diplomatically Everyone pulls their own weight

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Listen Effectively Pay attention to the speaker. Listen for the main ideas. Don’t get emotionally involved with the speaker’s ideas. Ask questions to clarify what the speaker said. Provide appropriate feedback.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Communication Diplomatically Listen without interrupting. Give everyone a chance to speak. Avoid personal remarks. Don’t overstate your position. – If you overstate your position it makes it harder to change your position. Don’t get attached to your own ideas.

Computer Engineering 294 R. Smith Collaboration 10/ Communication Diplomatically Ask pertinent questions. Pay attention to nonverbal communications.