> So I believe that one of the first actions of any project team, should
> be the definition of their informal networks. Then it becomes the
> role of the project leadership to protect that asset.
This statement brings to my mind the following questions:
Can an informal network be deliberately defined? Doesn't the process
of defining it, make it formal? Don't informal networks emerge over
time? Aren't they usually determined by the accidental or coincidental,
but nonetheless mutually beneficial interaction, of one or more
people? How can a project leader protect an informal network? Can
informal networks that cross departmental boundaries be protected?
If so, who is to protect them?
It seems to me that informal networks are rather serendipitous, and,
often, inconsistent (they exist when there is a need for them to exist).
Subsequently, I'm not sure how it is possible to deliberately define an
informal network, and, then consciously and effectively protect its
existence.
However, if someone on this list has any ideas on how to define and
protect an informal network, I'd be very interested. There's no
question such a structure plays an important role in an organization.
--Benjamin B. Compton ("Ben") | email: bcompton@novell.com Novell GroupWare Technical Engineer | fax: (801) 222-6991
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>