- Value [1] Small Projects
- We are primarily concerned with the smaller, nascent and amorphous projects that see the conference infrastructure as a necessary
part of their networking and marketing strategy. They lack the resources, organizational structure and established leadership
that sustains a project, and generally need nurturing. They also are often quite cutting edge, a new need having been identified
by the group of experts assembled at the event. They also have a temporarily high group energy surrounding them due to the
formation of new relationships, stimulation through the experience of new ideas and concepts etc.
- Value [2] Real Time Interaction
- We have also narrowed the scope by focusing on real-time interaction. Just as face-to-face is more productive than virtual,
we find that real-time virtual meetings (conference calls, scheduled chat sessions) are essential within collaborative groups
for two reasons; they enhance productivity and they enhance participants ability get to know each other and form trust based
relationships. Moreover, distinct projects with shared goals often have clearly established wiki and discussion list territories,
and are slow to work towards merging with another group. However, most projects are less established in their real-time practices.
By focusing on this more fluid and less bounded territory, we increase our ability to facilitate collaboration.
- Value [3] Social Elements/Community
- In addition to the web infrastructure, we recognize that there is also a social component that must be consciously designed.
We need to cultivate a community of volunteer facilitators who will assist groups as they use the site, seek out related groups,
try to resolve their differences with related groups, learn to use the tools at hand, and generally collaborate. This document
will not explain this aspect in great detail, as it it's hard to predict what it will look like at this point. It's safe to
say, though, that no tool will ever be adequate to the complexity of collaboration, and that building community is essential.
- Value [4] OpenKollaboration
- A central ingredient in the development of the OpenKollaboration process will be a web platform that supports the larger objective
of stimulating and facilitating collaboration amongst smaller project groups.
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