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