Date post: | 21-Oct-2014 |
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Technology |
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How we wiki
Bobby Graham: Director Web Publishing (Acting)National Library of Australia
Gov 2.0 Conference: 19 October 2009
Vital statisticsThe Library has 450
employees.We implemented our first
wiki in 2006.We have 100+ wiki spaces.We use Confluence.Now we have two wikis:
internal and external.
Why wiki?
• We support transparency of information.• We engage with other libraries – nationally
and internationally.• We have a professional interest in information
management.
Why Confluence?
• It was compatible with our systems infrastructure.
• It is widely used by corporate organisations.• We had an existing relationship and
experience with the company.• It has an active open source community,
building macros and plug-ins.
What wiki features?
• WYSIWYG editor• Pages, news items and comments• Access control• One installation; multiple wikis• Export to PDF and MS Word
What wiki stuff we like
• Browser based editing• Versioning• Recently updated listing• Search• Pages print well
Wiki flexibility
• It happens now• Easy to restructure• History• Easy to roll back• But . . . flexibility, freedom, trust = uncertainty
Wiki engagementAnyone can participate in
the wiki.All staff can access, read
and edit any wiki space.All staff can freely con-
tribute new content using any web browser.
We all collaborate.
Wiki governanceAdmin is by community.Any wiki user can fix
spelling, formatting, grammar or structure.
Author is recorded.We can roll back to a
previous version.Space administrators
Wiki transparencyWe share information.All staff can collaborate on
any project or topic.All staff can share infor-
mation across all APS levels.
Work in teamsWe could work in a group
or in a project team.We work across teams
and projects.We collaborate internally
and externally.Each community space is
like a mini wiki in its own right.
What kind of projects?We manage the Library’s
collections.We look after the Library’s
readers and users.We plan to implement
new services.We work in divisional,
branch and group projects.
How we wikiPages are the building blocks
of the wiki.A statement of purpose is a
good way to start.We add content like text,
images and tables.We attach files.We can find stuff: any
location is good.We (sometimes) archive
stuff.
What we wiki
We plan, draft and write documents.
We prepare project plans.We manage activity
schedules.We maintain rosters and
planning docs.Sometimes we improve
business processes.
Wiki woesWiki users expect Word.They miss structure and
presentation.Some resist a new system.Users may not commit or
own spaces or pages.It’s easy to publish and
forget, or not archive.Wiki is yet another place
to publish (not).
Case study: How to improve a business process
• 400+ procedures documents . . . In various Excel spreadsheets
• How to share information in all of these docs?• How to update the documents?• Where to publish them?• Who is responsible?!
What was the outcome?
• Reduced no. of documents• Source files updated and maintained.• Archived in TRIM.• Content published on intranet and linked to
TRIM.• Updated content always available to users.• Four staff members maintain the wiki page.
What wikis?
Internal wiki space: all staff can view and edit.
Closed wiki space: a group of external and internal users can view and edit.
Public wiki space: all staff can view and edit, public can view only.
External wiki space: ex-ternal users and all staff can edit and view.
What have we learnt?
• People may make mistakes, but they will take responsibility for:– their own learning– organising things– tidying up
• Given the opportunity:– they have good ideas– learn from each other
What works well?
• Documenting services• Documenting processes• Working and writing collaboratively• Collaborating with external partners
What doesn’t work well?
• The wiki could be used for what it was never intended:– archiving– publishing workflows– publishing secure documents– Blog style writing
Is wiki successful?
• How should we measure success?– 100+ wikis implemented in three years– 10 public wiki spaces– 12 closed wiki groups– Continued use of service
Wiki future
We plan to improve the interface: add themes.
We’d like to make browsing more pleasant.
We plan to improve wiki help and guidance.
We’d like to assist with training.
With thanks to Michele Huston for her direction and leadershipAll images courtesy of the National Library of Australia
[email protected]: 02 6262 1542http://libertylittlebasil.blogspot.com/@LibertyBasil