Guiding the Journey to Collaborative Work Systems

Michael M. Beyerlein is director of the Center for the Study of Work Teams and professor of industrial/organizational psychology at the University of North Texas. He is author or editor of numerous articles and books, including Beyond Teams and The Collaborative Work Systems Fieldbook (both from Pfeiffer). Cheryl L. Harris is a consultant and researcher, affiliated with the Center for the Study of Work Teams. She facilitates organizations in their change efforts to better support collaboration, is author of several book chapters, and has developed a Web-based assessment tool for collaborative work systems.

• List of Figures, Tables, and Tools. Preface for the Collaborative Work Systems Series.Acknowledgments.Preface.INTRODUCTION UNDERSTAND THE STRATEGIC DESIGN PROCESS.Chapter 1: How to Use This Workbook.Rationale for the Workbook.Goals of the Workbook.Workbook Organization.Elements in Each Chapter.Practical Focus.Approaches to the Material.Content Icons.Special Terms.The Collaborative Work Systems Series.Conclusion.Resources.Chapter 2: Learn the Basics of Collaborative Work Systems.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.What Is a Collaborative Work System?Types of Collaborative Work Systems.Understand the Current Organization.Select the Collaborative Work System Target.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 3: Start with the Guiding Assessment.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.The Strategic Design Process and Guiding Assessment.Part I: Create a Foundation for Change.Part II: Align the Organization for Collaboration.Summarize the Pressures For and Against Change.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.PART I: CREATE A FOUNDATION FOR CHANGE.Chapter 4: Launch the Change Leadership Team.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.Launch the Change Leadership Team.Select CLT Members.Build Common Understanding.Manage Team Boundaries.Invest in Team Competencies.Manage the Meeting Process for Productivity.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 5: Charter the Change Leadership Team.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.The Chartering Process.Establish Team Processes.Establish Effective Sponsorship.Manage Performance.Establish Escalation Path.Recharter Annually.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 6: Think Strategically About Change.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.Think Strategically as Well as Tactically.Align the Strategic Change Plan with the Organization’s Overall Strategy.Create and Energize a Vision for the Change Initiative.Take a Deliberate and Disciplined Approach to Planning.Work as a Team to Create and Implement the Plan.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 7: Apply Effective Change Principles.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.Build a Big Picture of Change Management.Build Expertise in Strategic Change Processes.Effective Change Principles.Start from Where You Are.Generate Short-Term Wins.Minimize Critical Specifications.Plan for Resistance.Integrate with Other Change Initiatives.Do Not Create the Plan in a Vacuum.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 8: Build the Business Case.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.What Is the Business Case?Contents of the Business Case.Presenting to the Top Management Team.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 9: Identify Needs and Assess Progress.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.The Purpose and Value of Assessment.Quality of Assessment Methods.Assess Collaboration at the Organizational Level.Assess Collaboration at the Team and Group Level.Abide by Principles of Ethical Assessment.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.PART II: ALIGN THE ORGANIZATION FOR COLLABORATION.Chapter 10: Connect to the Environment.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.What Is the Environment?Build Mechanisms to Create Awareness of the Environment.Act on Awareness of the Environment.Create Ways for All Members to Contribute.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 11: Craft a Culture of Collaboration and Entrepreneurship.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.What Is Culture?Why Change Culture?Identify Current Culture.Characteristics of Collaborative Culture.Align Organizational Subcultures.Characteristics of Entrepreneurial Culture.Envision Ideal Culture.Begin the Journey to Ideal Culture.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 12: Understand Work Processes.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.Why Focus on Work Processes?Map Work Processes.Analyze Work Processes.Understand Customer, Supplier, and Regulator Requirements.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 13: Design Using an Array of Structures.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.What Is Organization Structure?Use an Array of Collaborative Structures.Understand Realities That Affect Future Organization Design.Visualize Future Organization Structure.Determine Where to Start Implementation.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 14: Plan Employee Empowerment.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.What Is Empowerment?Identify Limits of Empowerment.Design the Empowerment Plan.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 15 Define New Roles of Leaders.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.What Is Collaborative Leadership?Leader Transition from Traditional to Collaborative.Define Roles of Leaders at All Levels.Identify Leader Roles to Support the Empowerment Plan.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 16: Align Support Systems.Key Question of This Chapter.Quick Look.Create the Context for Collaboration with Support Systems.Use Support Systems in All Shapes and Sizes.Align Support Systems with Your Environment.Link Support Systems Development to Empowerment.Create Committees to Implement Support Systems Change.Continually Assess and Adjust Support Systems.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.Chapter Wrap-Up.Resources.Chapter 17: Conclusion: Working Toward the Future.Key Questions of This Chapter.Quick Look.Review of the Workbook.Create a CWS Initiative Handbook.Address Key Questions from Each Critical Success Factor Chapter.Launch into the Future.Conclusion.Keys to the Chapter.About the Series Editors.About the Authors.Index.