One of the things that has become increasingly clear to me is that there is not a lot of clarity about collaboration. A consequence of this – beyond the obvious confusion – is disillusionment. For some, the Emperor is now clothed in the hype of collaboration, lacking any real substance or value or promise of change.

Because of this, it may be helpful to have a shared vocabulary that describes different aspects of the collaborative process and illustrates the various roles of technology.

There are four phases in the collaborative process, each of which serves a different purpose and works toward a unique outcome. Evaluating collaborative efforts accordingly helps groups set realistic expectations and move towards more significant types of collaboration.The four phases are: (more…)