What Is A Collaboration Map?

Collaboration maps reveal the informal and the formal networks of an organisation typically using the individual or project team as the unit of analysis. A collaboration map provides management with empirical information on the real structure and relationships between individuals and teams. The data shows whether a relationship between two or more nodes exists, and the value of that relationship. It can be weighted or have attributes associated with it. The results are then displayed graphically or in tabular format.

Specifically a collaboration map can be used to:

• Assess the state of individual and project team social capital by identifying trust, support, and advice networks.
• Assess business operations by mapping the formal and informal process flows of an organisation.
• Support collaboration by identifying potential partnerships and connecting people to people to ensure effective knowledge creation and sharing.
• Support collaboration by identifying and weaving communities of practice.

How is Collaboration Mapping Done?

The broad generic process is as follows:

Determine the Unit of Analysis. This is arguably the most important step, as it determines how data is collected and which tools and analysis techniques should be employed.

Determine the Questions. Two typical question statements are:

• Please identify up to 10 people who are important to you in your professional network. These can be people who provide you with information to do your work, help you think about complex problems posed by your work, or provide developmental advice or personal support helpful in your day-to-day working life. These may or may not be people you communicate with on a regular basis and must come from within your organisation.
• For each person you have identified please assign a score based on the amount of contact you have with them. 1 is the most amount of contact. 10 is the least amount of contact. Each score should be different.

Collect the Data. Typically a series of questions are asked using a survey technique. Data collection can also be done using data-mining techniques. For example intra-departmental e-mail traffic could be mined.

Import the Data into a Visualisation Tool. HolisTech® uses one or more of four propriety visualisation tools depending on the requirement. Each tool has specific uses and limitations.

Analyse the Data. In addition to the visualisation tools HolisTech® uses several analysis tools.

Act on the Data. Acting on the data is up to you! Please e-mail or ring us if you want to know more.