Collaborative systems, such as professional learning communities and manufacturing management teams, involve groups of individuals working together towards a common goal. The different names used to describe these systems can be confusing, but what is important is the work done by the team. Clear communication and effective leadership are crucial for success. These systems can be technology-driven or involve real-time physical meetings. In education, collaborative systems often involve teams of teachers teaching the same students or subjects, while in the business world, a collaborative marketing strategy may be used.
There are many terms used to describe collaborative systems, including professional learning communities, manufacturing management teams, board meetings, and even committees. Multiple collaborative systems can form and dissolve into any activity or operation as new needs arise. Some may be put in place temporarily while planning large projects or solving specific problems. Other collaborative systems are ongoing and geared towards a common long-term goal.
The different names used to describe collaborative systems can be confusing, as two organizations may use the exact same name for their system, but operate in quite different ways. Sometimes, collaborative systems that are essentially identical in function are given different names. For example, a group may be called a grade level group in one school and an interdisciplinary group in another. The actual name an organization uses for its particular collaborative system is not as important as the work done by a team or system.
Collaborative systems can be thought of as teams or groups of individuals working together to complete a specific task. The word “collaborative” can be broken down into the prefix co and the root word work. The prefix means together, jointly or equally, and job means to work. A collaborative system, then, is any arrangement where people come together in some form of shared activity or work. Sometimes these systems are technology-driven and use a corporate communications network instead of real-time physical meetings to engage workers and initiate discussions.
Two colleagues discussing and sharing ideas on how to solve a problem at work can engage in an informal collaborative system. More elaborate examples of these systems involve specific teams or cadres of employees meeting at regularly scheduled times. These highly structured collaborative systems generally adhere to a tight agenda and leaders follow an activity-oriented model. Simple or complex, a common thread running through all collaborative systems is a strong need for clear communication and effective leadership.
In education, collaborative systems often include teams of teachers teaching the same students or subjects. These individuals may meet to jointly plan education and later evaluate student work to determine educational success. In the business world, a collaborative marketing strategy can present a similar scenario. Multiple departments or employees may execute the strategy and then meet after implementation to judge the effectiveness of the strategy. In all cases, collaborative systems are based on the assumption that focusing many minds on a specific task is superior to people going it alone.
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