Collaborative method

Collaborative methods are processes, behaviors, and conversations that relate to the collaboration between individuals.^[1] These methods specifically aim to increase the success of teams as they engage in collaborative problem solving. Forms, rubrics, charts and graphs are useful in these situations to objectively document personal traits with the goal of improving performance in current and future projects.

Group setup[edit]

Deliberate setup of a team—before beginning work—increases the potential for high performance. To do so, the following components of collaboration should be an initial focus:

occurs through hearing the spoken word and represents approximately 25% of the population^[1]

Auditory learning

occurs through doing, touching and interacting and represents approximately 40% of the population^[1]

Kinesthetic learning

occurs through images, demonstrations and body language and represents approximately 30% of the population^[1]

Visual learning

52% based on body language

37% based on the tone of voice

11% based on words

A culture where rank or job title is important makes it hard for a lower rank person, who may be more qualified than their superior for the job, to collaborate. The lower rank person is told what to do. This is not collaboration

""; which can be expressed as a reluctance to share with others unknown to you

stranger danger

"needle in a haystack"; people believe that others may have already solved your problem but how do you find them

"hoarding"; where people do not want to share knowledge because they see hoarding as a source of power

""; the avoidance of previously performed research or knowledge that was not originally developed within the group/institution.

Not Invented Here

A main barrier to collaboration may be the difficulty in achieving agreement when diverse viewpoints exist. This can make effective decision-making more difficult. Even if collaboration members do manage to agree they are very likely to be agreeing from a different perspective. This is often called a cultural boundary. For example:

Bennis, Warren, and Patricia W. Biederman. Organizing Genius. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Perseus, 1997.

Marcum, James W. After the Information Age: A Dynamic Learning Manifesto. Vol. 231. Counterpoints: Studies in the Postmodern Theory of Education. New York, NY: Peter Lang, 2006.

Spence, Muneera U. "Graphic Design Collaborative Processes: a Course in Collaboration." Oregon State University. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: AIGA, 2005.