R. Keith Sawyer
Washington University
Collaborative Creativity
Inside theBlack Box
Engineering Innovation in Action
Improvising a new business processThe “scientist special”Improvising a new productReframing
The Innovation Process
ImprovisationCollaborationEmergence
[Looking at Tony, pointing at Devin] So there’s your answer.Theresa
Separate.3
We need to have it ask the user to give the presentation a name—we need to have Jim add somecode that gives it a name. Devin [turns to Devin]—does it make it easier for you if it has thesame or separate folders?
Theresa
Here is the problem I see: the folders have to have different names, but you need a folder for eachpresentation to not override other types of files.
Tony
[Pause, while both of them stare at the white board.]
Well, we may at some point, for tech support purposes, have to allow them to have this list[points], or separate GIF and HTML folders.
Tony
But even here [points] you may have these types of files.Theresa
Yeah, but how do you make it simple for the users? This has to go on this server [points], this onthat server [points].
Tony
It used to be on one server.Theresa
The problem is that some of the files need to go on the web server, and some on the video server.On the web, these files [draws on white board], on the video, these files.
Tony
What’s the problem?Theresa
Sure. Just a sec.Theresa
Theresa, when you get a minute could you come here?Tony
Cool.Tony
Great. Then Devin could point users here [points], and Jim could add the code that names thepresentation.
Theresa
Okay. So that would have a link to the presentations and to the images!Tony
The options for multiple presentations are…[she adds to Tony’s drawing]Theresa
Plus ease of use for uploading stuff. So, rather than have fifteen folders [draws on the whiteboard]
Tony
Let’s name the issues. Folders need titles for the name of presentation to reduce erroneousoverrides.
Theresa
There’s a lot of naming issues and overriding issues that have to be addressed.Tony
The problem is if you’re doing many presentations…[pauses]. I’m not sure I understand the mainissue any more.
Theresa
Having it up here screws you up either way.Tony
You may want to not make it index, because that’s the default presentation.Theresa
So that loads start and that loads index?Tony
I’ve got it! Make two starts! This will create two folders.Theresa
No.Tony
Is index.html your Javascript?Theresa
Okay. Then here are the folders [pointing at white board].Tony
Ensemble Jazz
Improv Theater: The Bus Stop
On or off?
I’m getting’ on, sir
In or out?
I’m getting’ in, I’m getting’ in!
All right.
Did I see you tryin’ to get in the back doora couple of stops back? Huh?
That was my brother.
Sawyer (2003). Improvised dialogues. Greenwood.
Group Creativity
UnpredictableContingentCollaborativeEmergent
America’s Most InnovativeCompany
Knowledge Management
Overall frameworks (outlines, scenarios)“Bits” (riffs, licks)Structure is always in dialectic withimprovisationEquivocality
Innovative TeamsImprovisation: Don’t plan; Just do it.Structures: The group shares a few loose structures that guide thework.Expertise: Group members each contribute expertise that fits into theongoing improvisation. They can reassemble this collective pool intonew combinations.Communication: Each group member listens to the others, and they’regood at building on what the others do.Self organization: The group re-organizes itself in response toenvironmental changes, without central control.Heavily parallel: Small sparks of creativity are happening all the time,and are distributed throughout the organization.Constant failure: Many ideas never go anywhere.
Group Creativity
ImprovisationCollaborationEmergence
www.keithsawyer.com
Oxford, 2006
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