Making digital collaboration “more betterer”

Simple views onto complex problems

David Harrison

urbandictionary.com: more betterer

Used when someone running a project or task needs to explain to

people he is answerable to, who don't have the skills or knowledge to

understand what is going on, that the project is still at an early stage

(prototype or rough cut) and will significantly improve in quality of

appearance and content by the time it is finished.

This is the initial look and feel which is very rough but we are going to

spoodle it all up and make it more betterer before we finish.

Digital collaboration could be “more betterer”

Architecture is an outcome-centric industry

http://onemansblog.com/2007/09/05/wheres-osha-when-you-need-em/

We have developed a rich visual vocabulary for communication but lack similar experience in the field of digital collaboration

Writing board with an architectural drawingNew Kingdom, Dynasty 18, ca. 1550–1295 B.C

St Paul’s CathedralSir Christopher Wren, 1673

Burj DubaiAdrian Smith, (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill), 2009

Images wikipedia.org

What has changed about architectural collaboration?

What has changed about architectural collaboration?

Digital collaboration has shifted our perceptions+ increased the volume, frequency & speed we can exchange data

...but it is pretty....

I am not interested in “long term” (hypothetical) digital collaboration

...which unlike this image is not nearly as sexy....

I am interested in real world collaboration (First Life)

Ah, that’s better....

...managed chaos, uncontrolled order, or a bit of both?

Or so we are led to believeBuilding Information Models result in better digital collaboration

BIM is not a golden bullet

Controlled ComplicatedComputer-centricCentrally managedCostly to produce + maintain

...and difficult to interpret without a face

As a digital collaboration tool BIM does not address industry issues

Factors Impacting Data Sharing: Total RespondentsInteroperability in the Construction IndustrySmartMarket Report, 2007 McGraw Hill Construction

Frequently Exchanged File FormatsReinventing Collaboration Across Internal & External Project TeamsPatrick Aragon, 2006 Adobe Systems

BIM Demand by FirmsSmartMarket Report, 2007 McGraw Hill Construction

Why the need for digital collaboration principles?

Principles are decision aids in a rapidly moving environment

Gartner Group, 2006

Digital collaboration principles assist:Team, client & vendor relationships, tools development and business planning

1. Simplicity2. Ubiquity

Collaboration is hard enough without technology barriers

3. Decentralisation4. Modular design

Scaling efficiently and quickly is key to long-term success

Image wikipedia.org

5. Information awareness6. Context sensitivity

Too much data will always plague digital collaboration

7. Evolutionary semantics People, processes and architecture change over time

The Project Information CloudHighly connected data will increase the overall knowledge of the project team

Conclusions

We lack a vocabulary for digital architectural collaboration

This vocabulary needs to be evolutionary not revolutionary

BIM is a productive tool, but it does not address collaboration issues

The seven principles proposed will help establish the Project Information Cloud