A short presentation looking at ratios to evaluate the success of social networking projects.

1. Evaluating the Success of
an IBM Collaboration and
Social Networking project
Chris Sparshott 25/9/08

2. What is the business value of
collaboration and social networking?

3. That is a difficult question.

4. …or is it?

5. Before Production

6. What is the business value of a
telephone?
Should we How does the
monitor the telephone help
number of the process that
calls? the employee is
executing?
Reduction in
other media
forms e.g. less
physical mail

7. Business process approach I
Go back to workshop attendees with a Identify critical business processes
survey that asks them to make that impact SLA’s and target the teams
estimates about the critical tasks they which support those processes.
perform. (Base line) (heavy knowledge workers are best)
Implement Collaboration and Social Use surveying and analysis to design
Networking Tools new work practise for those teams /
individuals. (Knowledge Management)
Go back to workshop attendees in 6
month intervals with a survey that asks Monitor and report results monthly
them to make estimates about the
critical tasks they perform and see how
the results compare May need additional reporting tools /
facilities

8. Business process approach II
Can not assume viral growth will occur
from the outset.
Usage may stabilise amongst early
adopters and those desperate for
change (Gen Y).
Universal adoption may need a “push”
reference BlueIQ.
May need to prescribe some
behaviours to ensure uptake and
benefit to the business

9. After Production

10. Did the project succeed over time?

11. Introducing Return On Contribution

12. Return On Contribution is a ratio of
benefit divided by cost
Benefit
Return on Contribution (ROC) =
Cost
*No direct monetary costs the metric is therefore based on people
*Assume employees make appropriate and strategic use of available
collaborative resources
Number of people who
benefit from a resource
Return on Contribution (ROC) =
Number of people who create
or contribute to that resource

13. An example: Dogear
(Social Bookmarking within Lotus Connections)
Measure Social-Bookmarking
Consumers 10896
Bookmark -Originators 4213
Return on Contribution 2.59
(Consumers)
Consumers 10896
Return on Contribution (ROC) = = = 2.59
Originators 4213
* Some consumers may also be originators

14. What does the number 2.59 mean?
Bookmark- 2.59 consumers benefit
originator from the work of each
bookmarks a bookmark-originator
resource

15. ROC can help us understand the impact of
these tools on employee participation and the
organisations culture change

16. Metrics can support the success of the tools
within the business.

17. Next?

18. Can I help?
Chris Sparshott
(Sparkbouy)
chris@chrissparshott.com
Portfolio
http://www.slideshare.net/sparkbouy/slideshows
Blog
http://chrissparshott.com
IBM
chris_sparshott@nz.ibm.com