However, it\u2019s just as important to avoid heading to the other end of the spectrum and viewing collaboration as a panacea that cures all project ills \u2013 because sometimes, collaboration isn\u2019t necessary or helpful. On the contrary, there are scenarios where it can trigger confusion and stifle progress.<\/p>\n
Here are some common scenarios where collaboration simply doesn\u2019t work \u2013 and never will:<\/p>\n
- \n
- When the purpose is to brainstorm.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Brainstorming is one of the most important \u2014 and also the most enjoyable \u2014 things on the work landscape. But it\u2019s a mistake to label this activity as truly collaborative, because the goal isn\u2019t to progressively usher work forward towards completion. Rather, it\u2019s to generate ideas, options and possibilities that help clarify a problem and identify a solution. Ironically, when a collaborate framework is applied to brainstorming, what tends to happen is that a consensus opinion (read: group think) emerges quickly, and out-of-the-box ideas never make it to the table. <\/span><\/p>\n
Of course, this doesn\u2019t mean that brainstorming sessions \u2014 whether online or offline \u2014 should be chaotic free-for-alls. They need to be suitably structured and organized, information needs to be properly captured, and participants need to adhere to standards of communication and respect. But there\u2019s no need for collaboration in the activity. That comes later, when it\u2019s time to build consensus, and determine the best way to translate ideas into action, and actions into results.<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- When the best person\/group for a task has ownership.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If the best person or group for a task is properly advancing it forward, then collaboration with the wider team probably isn\u2019t going to help. Instead, it will likely slow things down, cause frustration, and diminish quality. <\/span><\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t to suggest that task owners \u2014 such as specialists or experts \u2014 should work on an island, or that their work isn\u2019t subject to review and discussion. Rather, it\u2019s simply means that project managers and other workplace leaders should understand when collaboration makes sense, and just as importantly, when it doesn\u2019t. In other words: for it to be a useful business function and not just \u201c<\/span>a lot of conversations<\/span><\/a>,\u201d collaboration should be deliberate \u2014 not the default. <\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- When a suitable Collaborative Work Management<\/a> (CWM) system isn\u2019t established.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The road to collaborative hell is paved with good intentions; but that\u2019s not all that blights the scenery. Usually, there\u2019s also an <\/span>ad hoc <\/span><\/i>mix of disconnected tools, such as spreadsheets, conventional (and fundamentally anti-collaborative) project management software, and alas: emails, emails and more emails. Expecting collaboration to happen in this environment and under these conditions is more than optimistic. It\u2019s wishful thinking!<\/span><\/p>\n
As noted by the <\/span>Forrester Wave\u2122: Enterprise Collaborative Work Management <\/b>report, enterprises that want to exploit collaboration \u2014 and escape email disruptions \u2014 need a system that: <\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Allows teams to collaborate in designated workspaces for the purpose of delivering an outcome. <\/span><\/li>\n
- Captures conversations in the context of the work that team members are performing.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Allows team members to plan and manage projects without having to adhere to a formal methodology<\/span><\/li>\n
- Personalizes the workspace to support the way each team members works best.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When team members are equipped with CWM tools that enable the above, collaboration is efficient, effective, and aligned with work. But when they don\u2019t have the tools they need, all of the effort in the world won\u2019t make a meaningful difference. Just as when the goal is to brainstorm and task owners have things well in hand, collaboration won\u2019t work \u2013 and it never will. <\/span><\/p>\n
Learn More<\/b><\/p>\n
Planview AdaptiveWork created the CWM category, and for several years we\u2019ve championed the value of integrating project management, configurable workflow automation and in-context collaboration. \u00a0In addition, Planview AdaptiveWork was recently named a \u201cLeader\u201d in the above-noted Forrester Wave report, with analysts awarding a top 5.000 score for: content collaboration, work management, team management, reporting, globalization, security, go-to-market strategy, and customer satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n
To learn more, read the official <\/b>press release<\/b><\/a> and download your complimentary copy of the <\/b>Forrester Wave report<\/b><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n
![\"Siemens]()
<\/a> ![\"IIROC]()
<\/a> ![\"Financial]()
<\/a> ![\"M]()
<\/a> ![\"Aliancys]()
<\/a> ![\"Bonfiglioli]()
<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Everyone \u2014 from CEOs through to the interns \u2014 know that collaboration is essential for project management success. Indeed, most lessons learned (which are more like grim post mortems) of failed projects trace back to a familiar culprit: lack of collaboration. However, it\u2019s just as important to avoid heading to the other end of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":205,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":2,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pmo-project-management-organizations"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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Employees can use these practical tips to get in the flow at work\u2014and stay there\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Planview Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Planview-Inc\/89422974772\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-06-09T05:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-04-11T18:12:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/media.planview.com\/clarizen\/wp-content\/upload\/2020\/08\/siemens_energy-200x100.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Team AdaptiveWork\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Planview\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Planview\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Team AdaptiveWork\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Team AdaptiveWork\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/#\/schema\/person\/e307731bc782b0042d055366fc035e50\"},\"headline\":\"When Collaboration Doesn\u2019t Work \u2013 and Never Will\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-06-09T05:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-04-11T18:12:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/\"},\"wordCount\":716,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/media.planview.com\/clarizen\/wp-content\/upload\/2020\/08\/siemens_energy-200x100.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Project Portfolio Management\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/\",\"name\":\"When Collaboration Doesn\u2019t Work \u2013 and Never Will\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.planview.com\/collaboration-doesnt-work-never-will\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/media.planview.com\/clarizen\/wp-content\/upload\/2020\/08\/siemens_energy-200x100.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-06-09T05:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-04-11T18:12:57+00:00\",\"description\":\"Getting into a groove at work isn't always easy. 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- Allows teams to collaborate in designated workspaces for the purpose of delivering an outcome. <\/span><\/li>\n
- When a suitable Collaborative Work Management<\/a> (CWM) system isn\u2019t established.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- When the best person\/group for a task has ownership.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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