Modes of Online Collaboration -- Why not a hybrid?

There seem to be two major modes of online collaboration:  (1) the "messaging" model (email, IM, texting -- often with content files attached to the message (e.g., an Office file)) and the (2) the "shared workspace" model (e.g., wikis, Sharepoint, the various "web meeting" applications).  Each has strong advantages and disadvantages.

With the messaging model, it can quickly become difficult to keep track of the "master" file (e.g., the sales presentation in an attached Powerpoint file), and generate lots of "messaging" activity that is not productive.

With the shared workspace model, the need to shift from the primary "messaging" mode to a different mode of work (i.e., logging into a shared space that feels more oblique or indirect) can make the application seem more difficult and impede usage.

I haven't seen any good attempts to find a blended or hybrid model; I'd love to hear from anyone who knows of interesting attempts to do so.

Comments

[Graham]

What about Google docs? This has similar hybrid approach to what you suggest. Master Document that can be eddited by more that one person at a time. It also has the google chat on the side.

[Ryan Berryman]

Hi Allen,

I think Google Wave represents what you may be looking for. http://wave.google.com/

This platform allows for the real-time benefits of email, IM, etc. while retaining the concept of an evolving document / conversation with change tracking.

[Lisa Hjorten]

We have developed a collaborative reporting platform with the first application, InvestorUpdate. The genesis of the product was the complete lack of communications I received from my own (not very successful) angel investments. Since then, we realized the need for collaborative reporting is much broader than any specific vertical, so soon releasing a configurable version.

Our platform can also be described as demand-driven content creation. In other words, you are not asking for a group of people to contribute their thoughts and ideas on a topic, you are requesting specific pieces of information from specific individuals. This is then routed through a schedule-driven approval and editing process then distributed to stakeholders. In this way, you get exactly what you want rather than having to sift through a lot of random information and then extracting what you need.

Would be interested in your feedback. www.informia.com

[Melissa R.]

Fyi, Facebook "co-founder" Dusting Moskovitz working on Asana (www.asana.com), problem solved (I hope). Next!

PS: ugh, I know I'm so late in responding to this.