How Are You Managing Projects and Relationships Online?
| July 6, 2009 | ||
| 11:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
About fifteen years ago Meg Wheatley came out with a book called “Leadership and the New Science.” In it, she likened the upcoming trend in organizational structure to the shapes studied in quantum physics. When you looked at them up close, they looked chaotic and without structure. But when computer models worked out the algorithms these beautiful organic shapes appeared. They not only had structure, but they had a rhythm and motion to them.
While I was in graduate school, we spent a lot of time talking about this organic structure. We talked about how companies in the future will be organized. We came up with this hub and spoke system that looked like a chemical strucutre. Where people would be experts in and of themselves and then connect as needed with other experts in order to achieve a successful result on a project. We decided that there wouldn’t be a need for “full time” employeees, that organizations could run lean and successful on the power of current expertise which was pulled from all directions.
Technology has made that possible. Today we really are a “Free Agent Nation” and our organizations run like movie studios. Projects get a green light and casting directors go out searching for the perfect team that will make it all happen.
But how do you organize this chaos to make it look like those beautiful shapes and figures drawn by the computer?
Today we’re reviewing some of the tools our DIYMarketers are using to collaborate, share and manage projects and schedules. Some are free and others are paid-for services. But all are reasonably priced depending on what you want to do.
Here are our questions for the conversation we’re having :
Q1. Are you currently working collaboratively online?
bradfordshimp: In some ways, online collaboration gives more access, more back and forth – don’t have to call meetings, interrupt work, etc. #diymkt
Q2.If you could only use one tool which would it be and why?
bradfordshimp: Other than my toothbrush, the one do-it-all tool would have to be Gmail. Email, chat, video, and who knows what else! #diymkt
scoblitz: @DIYMKTchat Q2: Impossible to answer, tools are complimentary and are selected by what they can contribute. One alone can’t do all. #diymkt
pmohara: #diymkt Q2 but I would also say Firefox (we like to rig it with extensions that connect different web apps nicely) and uhm, the Internet. 
Q3. How are you managing those communications?
scoblitz: @DIYMKTchat I think situation determines best solution. We have standard apps we use but open for variation if needed.
Q4. What tools have you used to manage your projects and collaborations?
samuraivt: I’ve been looking at tokbox, tinychat, and dimdim. Anyone use these for collaboration? #DIYMKT
Q5. What is the one thing you’re looking for when you choose a tool?
robert_brady: Q5. Web-based so I can use it anywhere. Inexpensive and easy to use (synonymous with simple & clean). #DIYMKT
scoblitz: @DIYMKTchat I look at what it will contribute compared to $ / time to implement #diymkt
pmohara: @scoblitz Agreed! & answers #5- we only use tools w/open API (the socket that will let other apps feed/extract data for themselves) #diymkt
Q6. What is it that people forget that they shouldn’t
pmohara: #diymkt Q6 the thing we see people forgetting is data ownership. When you are sharing data across apps and teams – whose data is it?
Q7. What’s your secret to success in managing virtual teams and projects?
robert_brady: @DIYMarketers Communicate expectations clearly at the start with metrics included. #DIYMKT
scoblitz: @DIYMKTchat Q7: The software is there to help people manage the process, it doesn’t replace them. #diymkt
scoblitz: @DIYMKTchat Q7: The software is there to help people manage the process, it doesn’t replace them. #diymkt
scoblitz: @DIYMKTchat Q7: Particularly with Projects. Having a PM app doesn’t negate the need for a Project Manager. #diymkt
pmohara: @DIYMKTchat Secret to success- definitely communications. Virtual collaboration is a new dynamic for most, so pay attention to people.
TSFsmallbus: @DIYMKTchat The secret to success is communication. Let everyone know your needs/expectations and how to meet them. #diymkt
ifull: @DIYMarketers Good people (to manage)….. closely followed by ‘active’ online CRM, what’s yours?
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Reggie
1 year ago
Thanks for the article. I really enjoy hearing about trends in the industry.
Another great resource is the University of Texas at Dallas’ Project Management Program webpage – http://som.utdallas.edu/graduate/execed/projectMgmtProg/. Its got great information about the Project Management Program and great ways to keep in touch with alumni and share info.