Collaboration analytics continues to be an emerging area of interest for industry leaders managing business transformation; this topic was at the center of the semi-annual Connected Commons Summit which took place recently in Cambridge, MA at the Broad Institute, a center for science, collaboration, and technology. The summit focused on the impact that talent ecosystems and collaborative innovation can generate. Thought leaders in each session shared key tactics of change strategy rooted in collaboration analytics. Three key takeaways from the summit include:

Challenges in Capturing Tangible Collaboration Data through Analytics

In the growing age of artificial intelligence and machine learning, organizations now have the tools to capture large data sets and use these new technologies to derive differentiated insights. Despite tools at your fingertips, it can be difficult to capture tangible collaboration data because the inputs to tell the story are not as defined as traditional organizational data. Formal reporting structures can only paint so much of the picture, creating a gap in understanding how people collaborate in and across functional area teams.

Leaders can create cross-functional teams but without an understanding of who the key influencers and drivers for change are, they may come up short in deriving value. We have seen how organizations can leverage advanced analytics to derive insights grounded in their business needs. Taking a look across each part of your organization holistically can unlock a new way of thinking.

Set the Foundation for a Successful Business Transformation through Buy-in on the Vision

As with any major business change, leadership buy-in drives an initiative forward. What makes change stick is not only a strong leader or two who backs the cause, but a set of strong followers who influence the people around them that the change is worth supporting. Leveraging your key influencers across all pockets of the organization can make a difference when introducing a disruptive strategy. This approach can ensure that the message is translated in a way that can be understood and valued by individuals beyond management at the top.

Leaders can underestimate the importance of consistent communication with all levels both inside and outside their organization. Crafting and acting on an effective communication plan fuels alignment when forging a sustainable business transformation.

Collaboration Analytics Can Build Diversity in Thought and a Strong Talent Ecosystem

Fostering a community of connections from diverse backgrounds is what sparks collaborative innovation. Oftentimes we see functional silos operate in the same capacity day in and out, only to find that they are not performing to their highest potential. The right balance of formal and informal relationships can create a different dynamic that allows individuals to see the same challenge in a different way, thereby unlocking a new solution that impacts the organization and its vision.

The fundamentals of organizations continue to become more agile as technology and processes impact the way people work together. The right combination of data and people analytics can inform your business transformation strategies and set your organization up for future sustainable success.