Comments on: Don’t Let the Collaborative Event Tail Wag the Project Dog http://www.innovationlabs.com/2009/12/dont-let-the-collaborative-event-tail-wag-the-project-dog/ Innovation Consulting, Innovation Labs, Collaborative Facilitation, Strategic Solutions, Where Innovation Happens Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:49:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joanne http://www.innovationlabs.com/2009/12/dont-let-the-collaborative-event-tail-wag-the-project-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-313 Joanne Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:51:54 +0000 http://www.innovationlabs.com/?p=1285#comment-313 Hello Mr. Coffman, This was a wonderful post and will help me thoroughly in rethinking a current project. In my department we just initiated (and just got the go ahead on) a collaborative project between university research and our department. And immediately I hear "kick off" event although we have met 3 times to get the "go" and the 2 teams are on other sides of the country. Knowing the extreme culture differences of academia and business, your post made me think of the project as a collaborative process versus event-centric. I will look for the hills first! (nice analogy) Thanks ~Joanne Hello Mr. Coffman,

This was a wonderful post and will help me thoroughly in rethinking a current project. In my department we just initiated (and just got the go ahead on) a collaborative project between university research and our department. And immediately I hear “kick off” event although we have met 3 times to get the “go” and the 2 teams are on other sides of the country. Knowing the extreme culture differences of academia and business, your post made me think of the project as a collaborative process versus event-centric. I will look for the hills first! (nice analogy)

Thanks
~Joanne

]]> By: bcoffman http://www.innovationlabs.com/2009/12/dont-let-the-collaborative-event-tail-wag-the-project-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-176 bcoffman Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:06:16 +0000 http://www.innovationlabs.com/?p=1285#comment-176 Wow! I'll have you write the core blog post next time. One of my most favorite assignments in college field surveying was laying out a road. All the things that you mention must be taken into account. It's a nice metaphor to use--especially the curve to speed limit ratio. Even with an accelerator like a collaborative event, you can't push the envelope too hard or you'll just have traffic flying off the road. Yes, I hope we all have a happy and healthy 2010. Blessings. Wow! I’ll have you write the core blog post next time. One of my most favorite assignments in college field surveying was laying out a road. All the things that you mention must be taken into account. It’s a nice metaphor to use–especially the curve to speed limit ratio. Even with an accelerator like a collaborative event, you can’t push the envelope too hard or you’ll just have traffic flying off the road.

Yes, I hope we all have a happy and healthy 2010.

Blessings.

]]> By: Frances Gillard http://www.innovationlabs.com/2009/12/dont-let-the-collaborative-event-tail-wag-the-project-dog/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Frances Gillard Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:35:28 +0000 http://www.innovationlabs.com/?p=1285#comment-175 Great article, Bryan! Your hill analogy (bulldozers, curves, etc) also reminds me of the thought, design, engineering, and results from building a good road, where the layout on the terrain (project) has a definite effect on the ease of getting from point to point on the road. Ensuring the best possible slant, water run-off, width, curve to speed limit ratio, and desired functionality are just some of the nuances necessary to qualify as a good road. When done well, these aspects are a sign that the road is meeting all the driver's needs without the driver even consciously knowing it. To me, that's what collaborative events do. They help the "driver" get to a better place in the overall project by getting them faster and more smoothly than on a non-collaborative "road." Maybe I'm way out in left field, but thought I'd offer some thoughts on the first day of 2010. Hope it's a happy and healthy one for us all. Great article, Bryan! Your hill analogy (bulldozers, curves, etc) also reminds me of the thought, design, engineering, and results from building a good road, where the layout on the terrain (project) has a definite effect on the ease of getting from point to point on the road. Ensuring the best possible slant, water run-off, width, curve to speed limit ratio, and desired functionality are just some of the nuances necessary to qualify as a good road. When done well, these aspects are a sign that the road is meeting all the driver’s needs without the driver even consciously knowing it. To me, that’s what collaborative events do. They help the “driver” get to a better place in the overall project by getting them faster and more smoothly than on a non-collaborative “road.” Maybe I’m way out in left field, but thought I’d offer some thoughts on the first day of 2010. Hope it’s a happy and healthy one for us all.

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