ICT Collaborations
Signposting and adapting existing resources |
Summary
There are many existing resources available that may apply to the sector, but these are not always easy to find. Signposting to relevant existing guidance, policies, tools and other resources is a far better use of time and money than creating them from scratch. Technology offers new opportunities to aggregate, signpost and make links in new ways.
Discussion
Sometimes it is not necessary to formalise a membership network to promote collaboration and sharing. Technology has, of itself, created more opportunities for joining material from disparate sources together, and has begun to break down the barriers between where one organisation or network ends and another begins. Information resources are now harder to ‘own’ and control, and gate keeping is giving way to cross-referral, amalgamation, instant signposting, and constant refinements, updating and adaptation. This is having a knock on effect on areas such as Intellectual Property and Data Protection.
Using tools like collaborative websites, electronic information feeds, forums and shared databases, rapid exchange of information can be an effective way of providing support to a wide reach of organisations. Potential for these collaborative tools is explored in the sister publication to this: ICT tools to support collaborative working.
Pros |
Cons |
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Avoids reinventing the wheel |
Managed poorly, can create information overload and too many links |
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Managed carefully, can reduce information overload |
Harder to hold on to Intellectual Property |
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Potential to share information more widely and more efficiently |
Requires care in information management as new legal understanding emerges |
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Potential to adapt resources for specific audiences |
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Challenges some more traditional models of paying for information and expertise |
Case studies: ICT Hub, Community First, 5 Counties Project, Experts Online and Superhighways.
Wider examples: