The expression, “too many cooks, spoil the broth”, is an accurate precaution for managing projects. The solution, a hard and fast rule underscoring that information flows to a single project manager to best oversee a job. However, when it comes to a community of practice, where we invite all sorts of contributors, a different set of rules apply. So, let’s form a line in the Web 2.0 Test Kitchen, as it’s all about order and convention.
As far as I can tell, well-engaged communities of practice are cooperative and follow a formal set of policies and applied governance. The Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) communities typically have a philosophical understanding or ethos that binds the community similar to a social contract. There are also codes of conduct that clearly identify unacceptable behavior as well as the repercussions.
Here are a few policies for FLOSS communities:
Drupal
Apache
Ubuntu
JS Foundation
It is apparent that there is a high regard for being considerate, respectful, and collaborative with others. The Golden Rule is observed as these policies convey a principle in treating others as one would wish to be treated. Aside from the technology that brings the community together, this system of reciprocity is a foundation for collaborative environments. As we consider working within online communities, we can look back at these systems to better understand how policies influence organizations for the better.
Kars in the Kitchen by Glen Zazove is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 |
As far as I can tell, well-engaged communities of practice are cooperative and follow a formal set of policies and applied governance. The Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) communities typically have a philosophical understanding or ethos that binds the community similar to a social contract. There are also codes of conduct that clearly identify unacceptable behavior as well as the repercussions.
Here are a few policies for FLOSS communities:
Drupal
Apache
Ubuntu
JS Foundation
It is apparent that there is a high regard for being considerate, respectful, and collaborative with others. The Golden Rule is observed as these policies convey a principle in treating others as one would wish to be treated. Aside from the technology that brings the community together, this system of reciprocity is a foundation for collaborative environments. As we consider working within online communities, we can look back at these systems to better understand how policies influence organizations for the better.
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