PMcrunch

How does the emergence of Web 2.0 collaborative capabilities and networks effect the organizational landscape, and how does that effect project and program managers?  I think the key to answering this question is to look at what is happening to interpersonal relationships, power centers, and influence within organizations to see how this is changing as a result of this emerging development.  I find that we can gain insights into this by observing from the following point of view:

1. Organization charts are the way the organization is "supposed" to be
2. Web 2.0 collaboration reveals relationships, and hence organization structure, as it really is

Let’s explore…

As project and program managers, we know that relationships can be the key to effectiveness.  Web 2.0/social networking frameworks and capabilities are enablers that can provide the means for relationships to happen mroe organically.  Of course, tools provides the means, but we as individuals must provide the real input as users of the tools.  So in the end, it is largely our attitudes, soft skills, desires, drive, ability, and other factors which can help us succeed using social networking tools.  Yes, we can "lead without authority"!  (You can request a free 3 hours/PDUs online course entitled "Leadership Without Authority" for free.)

That’s what is required to succeed.  How can Web 2.0 impact organizations?  Here are just a few of the ways:

• Creating a praise and recognition culture
• Facilitating "just-in-time" learning
• Helping new hires acclimate more quickly and beating the new hire  turnover blues  
• Collaboration across generational and diversity lines
• Administering mentoring programs
• Expertise identification
• Breaking down departmental "silos"  
• Managing remote employees
• Retaining Gen Y employees

Here are some hand-picked web resources that can help to understand the impact of Web 2.0 on organizations:

The Layer-Cake of Corporate Culture

The change isn’t threatening to the organization, the benefits are noted, they spread virally, and true systemic change can occur. Technorati Tags: management, project management 2.0, project management, enterprise 2.0, Leisa Reichelt, …

Collaboration beyond knowledge management

But we have a lot in front of us when these – and real time communication solutions melt into seamless web 2.0 and web 3.0 concepts. The essence of collaboration is; doing things together has a better outcome than the effort done by the …

Bridging the Three Gaps in Project Management with Web 2.0 tools

There’s a great post about innovating project management with the help of new-geneartion tools. It will be useful for both professionals in project management and begginers. Another point of view on managing projects.

Where is Web 2.0 in the Enterprise?

They were using for project management and similar projects. At the same time as launching McKipedia, he also launched "collaboration spaces" on the side. There was no structure, no sponsorship and no notification across the …

Project Management 2.0: It’s not about the tools

With more and more groups not working at the same place at the same time, part of the answer to improve team collaboration and communication will lie in adopting new (web 2.0) tools, but for some groups the answer might simply be to …

#16 Get organized with web 2.0 tools

These applications fall into a variety of categories including online office tools like the spreadsheets and word processing tools we learned about in Thing #13, calendars, start pages, project management tools, to-do lists, …

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John Reiling, PMP
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