Gabriel Shirley

Nancy White and I are writing a chapter for an upcoming book (The Change Handbook, second edition) about using online environments to support change efforts in organizations. We’re currently playing with various images to represent a complex set of concepts and interactions in simplified terms.

Here is a draft of one I created earlier today, then subsequently used during a client discovery meeting. It represents the pieces that must be balanced in the right proportions to have a successful experience using an online environment. A compelling purpose is at the center — without it, the environment is likely to fail. From the purpose, a set of goals is identified, and from the goals, in the context of the people and organization(s) involved, a methodology is chosen. The methodology informs the kind of facilitation required to achieve the purpose, as well as the kinds of Technology that will support the method. Physical access to technology and ability to use technology comprise the Access cloud. The level of Access informs the kind of Facilitation and the kinds of Technology that will be appropriate.

Every situation is a little different, and the proportions must be adjusted accordingly.