Monday 24 March 2014

Collaboration That Works

I'm reading a great HBR OnPoint magazine about Collaboration that works. Collaboration is one of my passions, and natural working styles, and this magazine had some great simple lessons. So here we go....

Collaboration works when:
  • It crosses silos and boundaries (Duh!)
  • Deep expertise
    • It brings together people with valuable/deep expertise that can see the potential
    • These individuals are least likely to be collaborative
  • Collaboration isn't innate or easy it takes practice and investment for individuals and companies
  • Collaboration isn't about compromise and harmony
    • Its risky
    • Expect lack of trust and Conflict
    • Listen, facilitate and manage to make it work (Thats us!)
  • Collaboration bad smells (Recognise these and take action!)
    • too many people
    • changing teams
    • bad behaviours
    • lack of structure
    • Failing to deliver
    • Faling to learn from failures
  • Create common goals or objectives or motivations
...and theres loads more! Great article. So what does a BA do to help collaborate:
  • Find the right people who can deliver value
  • Facilitate
  • build trust
  • look for and manage bad smells (i use retrospectives for all and everything!
  • Build the common goals

About this blog

This blog is really for me, but if you like it thats great! Its a place to reflect on events and learnings on my Business Analysis journey.