Wikis
According to Wikipedia, the collaborative encyclopedia and probably the best-known of all wikis, a wiki is “...a collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content, using a simplified markup language. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites. Wikis are used in business to provide intranets and Knowledge Management systems.”
At its most simple a wiki is just an online database. The technology behind them is not complicated, and they cost very little to set up and maintain, if anything. Because they are web based, anyone who has an internet connection from anywhere at any time - and has been granted access - can use them. Files are able to be uploaded by many and downloadable by the same or a different many; files or posts can be edited and shared; individuals can collaborate on project documentation in real-time irrespective of their geographical proximity to one another. Information can be searched for by document title, from keywords within a document or by user assigned tags. Adopted successfully within organisations – usually as an intranet replacement - they help to break down information silos, reduce the number of files which are emailed, and lessen the need to hold meetings to simply disseminate information (usually circulated in unsearchable hardcopy format). They also facilitate the process of building up an organisation’s valuable ‘corporate memory’.
Be aware however that the biggest challenges to launching and maintaining a successful wiki are not those of technology or money, but rather getting the right people to adopt and correctly use them. Old workplace habits die hard (e.g. always saving files to the hard drive), and some people are simply information hoarders who won’t share what they know or have selective guarded possession of.
Atlassian has created a very good website/ wiki called Wiki Patterns which outlines the people and adoption patterns (and anti-patterns) which are recognised as positive and negative influences on successful wiki uptake. We recommend a visit to Wikipatterns.com (or buy their book) before launching your own wiki.
Want to Know More? Attend a NET:101 Internet Marketing & Social Media Workshop.
