Cant We All Just Get Along, Collaboration Techniques

Collaboration happens with every web project no matter what. Where is this collaboration coming from you may ask? Well you and the client. Now I know sometimes this doesn’t happen all of the time as some clients are very flaky with constructive communication.

Most of us designers work far away from our clients or other team members most of the time. So phone meetings and emails are usually our own way of collaboration. But there are other methods, such as the ones listed below.

Google Docs

Great for collaborating with clients or team members. You can share a document to any person you like and also give them permissions to edit the document if need be. This can be quite handy if you have say a data document specifying various variables that are being used throughout a project. Any team member can update this document in real time for any other team members to use.

Google Docs is a great way for sharing documents and working on project documentation with fellow co-workers.

Version Control

Version control systems are great for making sure you if something goes wrong, you always have a backup. They are also a great way of working on projects with multiple team members, without having to worry about screwing up each others work.
The top two version control systems are Subversion (SVN), and GIT (which is actually a distributed version control system).

I personally have been testing out GIT as I already have a base knowledge of SVN. I prefer GIT, as it is Distributed and generally easier to pick up on. Its really personal preference, although SVN is more widely adopted, GIT is quickly accelerating in popularity.

As with any software or programming language, its best to try out and see what suits you. So give both and try and evaluate.

Instant Messaging

Good old instant messaging, who hasn’t heard about it, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype and many more. Sometimes you may find it easier to collaborate with a client or fellow colleague(s). A couple of the great benefits is, real time response, the ability to send files and links and the ability to have face to face meetings even when you cannot be there in person. But there are some downsides, especially with clients. With clients, you may get them constantly distracting you by asking questions every 5 minutes. So you may want to re-think who you give out your personal messaging email address to.

In Person

In this day and age, it seems many people have become scared to have an in person meeting. Trading an in person meeting for emails or phone calls. Sometimes the best way to collaborate is in person. Whether it is at your own office with a whiteboard, a round table or even at a local coffee shop.

Do not discount this method. It may be greatly beneficial to the current project and future relations with your client. Sometimes, the old methods are the best.

Conclusion

These are just a very few of the ways to collaborate with clients and or colleagues, there are many more. Research what works best for you per project and, over time, modify your work methodologies to suit yours and your clients needs.
Always try to use forward thinking with your collaboration, that also goes for your projects.

Tags: collaboration, git, google docs, skype, svn