Using wiki for business

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Transforming Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration in the Workplace

Ward Cunningham created the first Wiki site in 1995 to collaborate with a group of programmers on software patterns. Wikisorder the production of knowledge by taking advantages of IT features that facilitate collaboration and consensus. Since the success of Wikipedia, many companies have been turning to wikis as a way to improve internal efficiency. The term “Enterprise Wiki” has emerged to the scene as a variant of Wiki, which incorporate the unique features to meet business needs.

Contents

Characteristics of Wiki

  • Ease of content creation: all users can edit and create new pages within the wiki Web sites, using only Web browser
  • Content produced through a collaboration process
  • System of knowledge by consensus

Wiki in the business context

An enterprise wiki needs to operate a little differently from a wiki in the public as the audience may be employees, business partners in an intranet or extranet, or customers that use the company’s products.

  • Enterprise Wiki - How it's differed from the content management system? Taking a different approach to content management by choosing to emphasize speed rather than strict controls.
    • Approach of content creation and editing: user empowerment & linking)
    • Site structure and navigation: creation in an ad-hoc way
    • Content repository and APIs: simpler approach to data storage
    • Templates: providing a consistent look to all pages
    • Workflow: decentralized and lack the controlling mechanism of a workflow system with a formal approval process
    • Control vs. Flexibility: centralized decision making process
    • Change monitoring: version control and roll back feature
    • User access control: integration with single sing-on security system
  • What companies are actually using Wikis?
    • Training: set up at the grassroots level for collaborative work and knowledge sharing.
    • A replacement for knowledge bases and frequently asked questions.
    • Eliminating folder-based file sharing and unclogging emails
    • Project management

Examples of wiki Implementation in various contexts

  • Public wikis: Lostpedia for the TV series “Lost”
  • Team wikis: Salesforce Force.com platform
  • Enterprise wikis: Avenue A / Razorfish

Creating your own wiki

  • Clearly and simply state what you hope to accomplish by building and maintaining a wiki
  • Outline your wiki’s structure
  • Create a plan detailing “who does what”
  • Wiki software selection
  • Set up and organize your wiki
  • Pilot testing
  • Promote your new wiki
  • Incentivize!

Reference

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