Collaborative method

Collaborative methods are processes, behaviors and conversations that relate to collaboration between individuals. These methods specifically aim to increase the success of teams as they engage in collaborative problem solving. Forms, rubrics, charts and graphs are useful in these situations to objectively document personal traits with the goal improving performance in current and future projects.

Deliberate setup of a team—before beginning work—increases the potential for high performance. To do so, the following components of collaboration should be an initial focus:

Four group models are common in collaboration:

Spence identifies seven rules for all collaboration:

In research since 1993, Katzenbach and Smith have identified six fundamentals of collaboration that are necessary for high performing groups:

Two primary types of working styles exist, each benefiting from contributions of the other:

Conflict between these groups typically occurs when group one becomes passive aggressive or group two becomes outwardly aggressive. Managing expectations, building consensus and communicating well are ways to avoid conflict.

While psychologist Howard Gardner identified seven major realms of intelligence, a more simple set of acuities may be more useful within smaller groups. Four roles have been identified and are defined as follows (note that individuals may score high in more than one category):

Higher performing teams often have a diverse set of skills and an appropriate number of persons in each role—as required by the goal of the team.

There are two main components of thinking styles: internal and external, they share similarities to the extraversion and introversion traits seen in human personalities. The two thinking styles are dichotomies and can be used as axes when charting personal evaluation; note that "there is no 'right' place on the grid."

Internal thinkers typically express themselves best through writing and take longer to develop and express ideas.

External thinkers typically express themselves best through speech and are faster at developing and expressing ideas.

Detailed thinkers typically focus on specific, existing situations and start small, eventually working towards solving the greater whole of a given problem.

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