#How To Work Collaboratively In A Team On An ACTION
You don’t have to write the ACTION all by yourself. In fact posting it on the forum is always a first step to get feedback, suggestions and help and invite others to collaborate on it.
Develop the ACTION publicly on the forum. Here are some suggestions how you can invite others to collaborate on the ACTION.
###(1) COLLABORATION SETTING – Think About How People Can Contribute/Help
What do you need help with? And how can people contribute what you need? Here are some suggestions for tools and techniques you could use:
- Comments: Invite people to post comments under the topic where you develop the ACTION. You can update the topic with the progress you make. Ask specific questions for example on content or for feedback and opinions.
- Give Access: Share files. For example a document with the current version of the ACTION so people can download it and upload a new version. Instead of sharing a document you can give people access to the topic by making it a Wiki or set up a Pad. In both cases you have version control – meaning you can always restore earlier versions. The Wiki requires people to sign up to the forum and be part for it for a while before they can edit the text. The Pad allows contributions by everyone without signing up first.
- Invite Them To Other Tools: You can also use other tools for the collaboration. Just set up an open room for people to look at and join and share the link to it.
- Offer Calls: If more complex planning is necessary you can open yourself up for an online video call. Ask people to send you a personal message here on the forum or email to exchange Skype contact details and schedule a call. You can think about having a public and recorded call using Google Hangouts on Air if your project can benefit from that.
Once the final ACTION is finished you can open up a new topic with the final ACTION and close the development topic. Or if there aren’t to many distracting comments under it just change the Headline and body text.
You can give the ACTION a version number. So when you do major changes over time people can still find out that there were earlier versions and find them by clicking on the yellow pen on top of the topic. ‘ACTION – Creating a MAP OF SHARING Possibilities In A City Vs. 1.2’
###(2) Provide A Proper INTRODUCTION
Some people will find your topic without any context. Provide some by adding some general Readme like information at the start. Let people know who you are, what the ACTION is about, where the idea is coming from and how they can contribute. Be as short and precise as you can.
Example:
Hi, I am @Lars2i
I am developing an ACTION on Open Source Business Models for Circular Economy.
The idea comes from a discussion about ‘How To Make Business With Open Source’ that started here.
I need help with finding examples for Open Source Businesses and with the English. I am also happy about every general feedback. Does any of that makes sense? Please post your ideas and contributions below in the comments or DM me. If you want to help with the language leave a comment and I’ll upload an editable document with the current version.
_
#Text Draft:
. . .
###(3) Advertise It – Ask For HELP – Guide People To It
Send the topic with the invitation to collaborate to people you would like to help/feedback. Oftentimes this can be other experts from the field or people that are supposed to benefit from the ACTION.
Share the link to your topic on the website or in the thread where the idea for the ACTION was born along with the specific questions you got.
Post it on social media (for example on the OSCEdays Facebook-Group or on Twitter using the hashtag #OSCEdays)
Related Topic: HOW TO BUILD A COMMUNITY – How To Gather People