tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post2321419386158165962..comments2023-11-02T20:45:14.873+11:00Comments on eGov AU: It's not about the technology - it's all about the peopleCraig Thomlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18350603210658700252noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-8537294178874857592008-07-06T14:51:00.000+10:002008-07-06T14:51:00.000+10:00Jenny, I agree with you 100% that just providing t...Jenny, I agree with you 100% that just providing the infrastructure for collaboration is not enough. The technology is just the tip of the iceberg, especially when people aren't accustomed to using collaboration tools.Dennis D. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380077706521105704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-85435826556288293672008-07-06T14:49:00.000+10:002008-07-06T14:49:00.000+10:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dennis D. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380077706521105704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-6635317200185037862008-07-05T09:05:00.000+10:002008-07-05T09:05:00.000+10:00I'm not in business, I'm an educator, but we are f...I'm not in business, I'm an educator, but we are facing very similar problems in our system. Schools (some) now have the infrastructure to enable our staff and students to take hold of the tools to produce and collaborate; to reach out beyond the confines of the classroom to create meaningful local, national and global connections. Providing the infrastructure doesn't address the need to provide the professional development for staff so that they can feel confident with their use of the tools. This is the greatest battle we face. Much hand holding is required to support people who feel intimidated by the technology. Many don't realise the ease of use of the tools that are now available that can support learning environments. We have used wikis very effectively- they are the ideal collaborative tool that can introduce people to the idea of working together constructively. Nice to read your post. As people, we tend to focus on our own environment and the challenges facing us there. These are challenges being faced in all levels of society as we adapt to the changing climate of the 21st century.jennyluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14613696084721098766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-83901079137457069852008-07-04T10:55:00.000+10:002008-07-04T10:55:00.000+10:00I have been in situations where the IT department ...I have been in situations where the IT department do not understand the technology or it's uses. It then becomes black magic and must be stopped at all costs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-47919442522160915262008-07-04T01:18:00.000+10:002008-07-04T01:18:00.000+10:00I agree, Craig, that in many cases it makes great ...I agree, Craig, that in many cases it makes great sense for "non-IT staff" to manage "IT-dependent" projects when the benefits accrue from how business processes are changed. Who better to understand what the impacts are? <BR/><BR/>Actually, I don't think this is so unusual. Most of the "enlightened" IT departments I've worked with as a consultant would take that view anyway -- a business person must be in charge, for example, of making sure that benefits from the new system are realized. <BR/><BR/>One challenge to this approach is that, sometimes, the people most knowledgeable about project management practices are from the IT department. That may be changing, though, as more easy to use project management tools become available as web delivered services.<BR/><BR/>Dennis<BR/><BR/>--------------------------<BR/>Dennis McDonald<BR/>Alexandria, Virginia USA<BR/>http://www.ddmcd.comDennis D. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380077706521105704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-68344201616258618562008-07-03T22:31:00.000+10:002008-07-03T22:31:00.000+10:00Hi Dennis,I see the distinction you are making, ho...Hi Dennis,<BR/><BR/>I see the distinction you are making, however I do not think it diminishes my point.<BR/><BR/>Technology is a tool we use to improve peoples' lives.<BR/><BR/>When a small group are set up to control access to that tool and are the only ones who understand how to use it, they are able to change the goal from improving lives to controlling them.<BR/><BR/>This is the situation many organisations find themselves in. IT teams have become the masters of their technological tools. Other staff, including senior managers, do not understand enough about the technologies to make effective business decisions. <BR/><BR/>Therefore, by default, IT teams gradually take on greater business power. This can easily stop being benevolent.<BR/><BR/>The best way to address this imbalance is to level the playing field - educate everyone on how the technology tools work and on how to use them.<BR/><BR/>Personally, although I resolutely define myself as a marketer, I've spent substantially more time managing IT teams than marketing ones.<BR/><BR/>I understand and are not in awe of IT teams - some IT people even find it confronting that I can speak their language (with an accent), call their bluffs and collaborate with them on a reasonably even level.<BR/><BR/>The more people in an organisation who can do this, the better for the organisation's long-term success.<BR/><BR/>I feel <A HREF="http://www.ddmcd.com/managing-technology/how-much-do-people-need-to-understand-technology-to-manage-i.html" REL="nofollow">your comments on technology literacy</A> are very relevant.<BR/><BR/>The next difficult task is getting people to <B>want</B> to be technically literate.Craig Thomlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18350603210658700252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-62298580028998298022008-07-03T11:56:00.000+10:002008-07-03T11:56:00.000+10:00I like that you led with Clarke's quotation (he's ...I like that you led with Clarke's quotation (he's a hero of mine) but I think there's a fundamental difference between thinking advanced technology is "magic" and that advanced technology is just something we don't yet understand. <BR/><BR/>Thinking advanced technology is "magic" presumes we can't understand it. Thinking it's something we can understand with enough thought or research is an extension of rationality. Those are two very different things.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I've decided to start researching the concept of "technological literacy," which I think is relevant to this post:<BR/>http://www.ddmcd.com/initial.html<BR/><BR/>I'd appreciate comments and suggestions.<BR/><BR/>Dennis McDonald<BR/>Alexandria, Virginia USADennis D. McDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380077706521105704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-2056772403181836952008-07-03T09:16:00.000+10:002008-07-03T09:16:00.000+10:00Because IT departments won't accept their role as ...Because IT departments won't accept their role as an Enabler in an organisation ... instead positioning themselves as a Command and Control unit?Nathanael Boehmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16098469572856380790noreply@blogger.com