Michael Edson: The Smithsonian Commons - A Model Institution?

The Smithsonian CommonsA Model Institution?

Photo: Smithsonian Web and New Media Strategy Workshop, April 2009

The Smithsonian CommonsA Model Institution?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5x4Sga0d1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5x4Sga0d1s

Preamble• Twitter: @mpedson, slideshare.net/edsonm• Join us at http://smithsonian-webstrategy.wikispaces.com

• Beware…The opinions in this presentation are mine, not the official policy/strategy of the Smithsonian…

• We’re a little bird• …Darwin…Write this down so it doesn’t slip away• How is this good for you as…

– A technologist? (How can you help us do this?)– An enthusiast? A re-user? A citizen?

A Model Institution

A Model Institution…Complete “Imagining a Smithsonian Commons” paper/slides at:

Text Version: http://www.slideshare.net/edsonm/cil-2009-michael-edson-text-versionPPT Version: http://www.slideshare.net/edsonm/cil-2009-michael-edson-powerpoint

(Omitted from this PowerPoint file just to save space and reduce duplication…)

http://www.slideshare.net/edsonm/cil-2009-michael-edson-text-version

http://www.slideshare.net/edsonm/cil-2009-michael-edson-text-version

http://www.slideshare.net/edsonm/cil-2009-michael-edson-powerpoint

http://www.slideshare.net/edsonm/cil-2009-michael-edson-powerpoint

Web and New Media Strategy

Why Make Strategy?

• To prioritize tactical opportunities• Pain and/or fear?

Many organizations don’t beginstrategic change until they’re either

afraid or in pain, or both

Internal Blog/Wiki/Listserv

152 posts to internal blog

Internal Blog/Wiki/Listserv

Classic blog/wiki playbook

Steering Committee

• Breakthrough! A FAQ on a Wiki instead of a charter!!!

Steering Committee

• Breakthrough! A FAQ on a Wiki instead of a charter!!!

Q: How is the committee going to make good decisions about leading-edge technologies and the inherent positive and negative of internet trends when they are not themselves internet experts?A: It’s not going to be easy. We recognize that we aren’t experts and we may take missteps along the way. That’s why we will be seeking advice from many sources including internal practitioners and external leaders. We will also work to expand knowledge of our audiences and what actual users think of the Institution’s web and new media initiatives. The committee also recognizes the need to establish pan-Institutional working groups to address specific issues and opportunities, in much the same way as OCIO has established collaborative Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to make hardware and software decisions in recent years.

Smithsonian 2.0

http://smithsonian20.si.edu

Smithsonian 2.0

Process: Workshops to Wiki

• Http://smithsonian-webstrategy.wikispaces.com

http://smithsonian-webstrategy.wikispaces.com/


Workshops “wiki-cast” live to public wiki


Process at-a-glance“The main intent of the workshops is to move relevant

information to the wiki where it can be openly evaluated, sifted, weighed, and considered by all.”


Highlighting things that are important and need action


Value-added by the museum community

Public-Facing Wiki

• Improvement/synthesis over timeOriginal

workshop notes

Public-Facing Wiki

• Improvement/synthesis over time

Added highlight, Action Required

Public-Facing Wiki

• Improvement/synthesis over time

Attendee says “wait a minute!”

Public-Facing Wiki

• Improvement/synthesis over timeApology and re-

cast original assertion

Public-Facing Wiki

• Improvement/synthesis over timeAnother user

synthesizes core question: How do

units break out these costs?

YouTube: Voice Your Vision

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-XNKDXiDW4

Twitter: #si20

Schedule/Workflow

Draft StrategyStrategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

Strategy Structure

• Themes– Update the Smithsonian Digital Experience– Update the Smithsonian Learning Model– Balance Autonomy and Control within SI

• 8 Goals External Mission

BrandLearning

Audience

Internal InterpretationTechnologyBusiness ModelGovernance

Each Goal has specific program, policy, and tactical recommendations

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

Theme 1: Update the SI Digital ExperienceCommunity engagement, content, and findability across all platforms

From inside any of these sites, where’s the rest of the Smithsonian’s content, visitors, community?

African Art

Air and Space

American History

American Indian

Anacostia Museum

Cooper-Hewitt

Freer / Sackler

Hirshhorn

National Zoo

Natural History

Portrait Gallery

Postal Museum

The Castle

SI Across America

Asian Pacific American Program

Education / Museum Studies

Folklife / Cultural Heritage

Latino Center

National Science

Resources Center Affiliations

Smithsonian Associates

Traveling Exhibitions

Archives of American

Art

Astrophysical Observatory

Museum Conservation

Institute

Environ-mental

Research Cntr

SI Libraries

Photo Initiative

Tropical Research Institute

What can I do with this content once I find it? How can I interact with my fellow-visitors?

Which Web site has the informationI need? Where do I start? Can I get this on my mobile phone? Can I get it in an exhibit?

Theme 2: Update the SI Learning Model

New Platforms for learning andcollaborative knowledge creation

Old Learning Model

New Learning Model

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

Theme 3: Balance Authority and Control within SI

Innovation at the edges:a commons in the middle

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

Strategic GoalsStuff we’ve got to DO!

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official


Uhhhgggg! I can’t bear to see eight slides with the title “Strategic Goals...”

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official


Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official


• Under the 8 goals there are 54 specific tactical recommendations

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

Strategy GoalsStuff we’ve got to DO!

• Goal 1: Mission– Prioritize Web and New Media programs in proportion to

their impact on the mission • Goal 2: Brand

– Strengthen the relationship between the Smithsonian brand and its sub-brands

• Goal 3: Learning– Facilitate a dialogue in a global community of learners

• Goal 4: Audience– Attract larger audiences and engage them in long-term

relationships

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

Strategy GoalsStuff we’ve got to DO!

• Goal 5: Interpretation– Support the work of Smithsonian staff

• Goal 6: Technology– Develop a platform for participation and innovation

• Goal 7: Business Models– Increase revenue from e-commerce fundamentals and

Web 2.0 perspectives • Goal 8: Governance

– Design and implement a pan-Institutional governance model

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

The Smithsonian CommonsA place to begin

• A new collaboration model• An new relationship with the public• A new model of learning and knowledge

creation

Strategy Draft

Preliminary

Not Official

I want to be a commons…

Don’t forget about us!!!

How can we make the SmithsonianMore relevant in a digital age?

Filmed April 26th, 2009 at theSmithsonian in Washington, D.C.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTJ8u2HGtrs

[Video available upon request]

Michael Edson: The Smithsonian Commons - A Model Institution?

Technology

Transcript of Michael Edson: The Smithsonian Commons - A Model Institution?