The purpose of the matrix below is to show what maps and other tools may be needed to develop a platform to enable cooperation and collaboration in local and/or network ecosystems. The benefit of developing a platform - rather than stand-alone maps or an ad hoc collection of communication tools - is that the platform generates value on several fronts:
It releases the value of data held in maps(profiles, interests, connections) by enabling those on the map to communicate and collaborate, through online tools and facilitation. Maps won't achieve this on their own.
The platform enables greater sharing and collaboration among those on the platform by joining up the communication tools.
Additional value is created by the central services offered by the platform managers.
Many of the communication tools may already be in use in a community or network. However, to enable finding, sharing, and collaboration they will need to be facilitated and managed to link with maps. Additional tools may be needed in the ecosystem. Thinking here is based on resources linked at the end.
Activities and functions
Across the top of the matrix are some of the key activities and functions that may be needed on a collaboration platform: see local and network checklists linked above for more details. Activities and functions may include:
Finding infrastucture, assets and people including places and organisations
Sharing news, ideas, and activities within the community or network, and more widely
Cooperating and collaborating
Maps and tools
Down the side of the matrix are maps and other tools that may support these activities. See Network communication toolsfor a longer list of comms tools. Many of these may already be in use in a community or network. However, additional tools as well as management and facilitation may be needed.
Event management includes tools like Doodle or Framadate to schedule meetings; Eventbrite, Attending, Meetup to register and organise, and other event calendar tools to list events
Facebook pages and groups provide an easy way for organisations and groups to create an online presence, share and discuss. It is relatively easy to recruit people who already use Facebook. However, others may be unwilling to use the system, and it is relatively closed.
Email group and newsletter. Systems like Google groups and Groups.ioenable one-to-many and many-to-many sharing. Mailchimp and similar systems provide ways to create attractive newsletters.
A blog system like Wordpress can provide a way to post updates, host pages, share content to social media, and also host other tools. It could be the basis for a local news site.
An ideas site and resources(how to) could help people propose and develop projects
Internal messaging like WhatsApp may be more attractive than email for chat
External messaging like Twitter can be used both within a community or network, and also to achieve greater reach. Twitter can be a valuable way to bring information and contacts into the system. It works well with a blog.
A forum, like Discourse, offers a way to facilitate high-value conversations and collaborations between key members of a local community or network.
Video conferencing: a system like Zoom provides for broadcast webinars, group discussions, chats and desktop sharing. It is more engaging that text as a way to build relationships.
Interests.me is a system specifically designed for small groups and organisations, providing them with a web presence and email newsletter. It aggregates content posted by many local groups to create a community website and automated weekly email newsletter.
Aggregators are personal and group tools to bring together content from different sources, for example blog posts, tweets, news feeds. Aggregators help people who don't have time to scan the many communication channels that may have useful content.
Document systems and web pages. Within the development team, or groups developing projects, it may more productive to use systems for working collaboratively on documents - e.g. Google docs or Quip.com- than email with attachments. These documents can also be published as simple web pages. The community or network may also need simple ways to create more organised public-facing web pages, for example using a wiki of other web publishing system, including a blog.
Survey tool. Sumapp is a survey tool that can be used to collect a wide range of information from individuals and groups: profiles, interests, wants, offers, and contact details. It can then feed a network map, and from that create the database. The great benefit is that updating is straightforward - just an emailed reminder to those on the system. Uptake will depend on some prior understanding of the benefit of completing the survey, and getting on the map.
Database in a spreadsheet. Geographic maps are best created and updated with a spreadsheet. This can be compiled manually, or using the Sumapp survey tool. The spreadsheet can also be used to hold contact details for other communication methods.
Management and facilitation
Platforms require ownership, management and facilitation. For example:
Maps, survey tools and a database require initial design, recruitment of contributors and users, and ongoing management. This is particularly the case for network maps, which become useful when a network manager can interpret and support developments.
Maps can help people find other people, places and facilities - but will not, on their own, do much to stimulate communication or collaboration. Achieving that requires the choice of, and support for, comms tools.
While people and groups in communities and networks will be using a wide range of tools that potentially support collaboration, these may not join up, and people may be overwhelmed by information flows.
The effective development of maps and comms systems requires survey and database development and management.
The platform will need roles covering design and development of the platform and mapping, subsequent management and facilitation.
Developing a platform
Activities and functions
Maps and tools
Management and facilitation