80 likes | 175 Views
Anarchy versus Control in Web Site Management. Malcolm Raggett IT Manager School of Oriental and African Studies University of London. Overview. Why are you doing this Web stuff? How have Web sites evolved? What factors need consideration? What is the manager’s role? Conclusion.
E N D
Anarchyversus Controlin Web Site Management Malcolm Raggett IT Manager School of Oriental and African Studies University of London
Overview • Why are you doing this Web stuff? • How have Web sites evolved? • What factors need consideration? • What is the manager’s role? • Conclusion
Why are you doing this Web stuff? • Because it’s there/new/fun/kudos • We’ve got all this infrastructure, so we’d better find a use for it • To fulfil specific aims • To reduce staff head count • To recruit more students • To improve learning and research • For knowledge capture • To share information and experience (knowledge management) • To improve communication
Individual groups Cross-disciplinary teams Joined-up teams Institutional coherence [joined-up institutions] [inter-institutional coherence] Evolution of Web Content Individual enthusiasts
Some Management Factors to Consider • Institutional culture • Evolution v. Revolution • Anarchy v. Control • Low inertia v. high inertia • Democratic v. Autocratic • Consistent v. Inconsistent • Resources • Hardware, software, infrastructure • Staffing – quantity, quality, distribution • Training • Management structure – now, future • Policies, strategies, codes of practice
The Manager’s Role Networked manager’s job Define Allocate [Monitor] Nurture Traditional manager’s job Plan Organise Execute Measure With apologies to Thomas A. Stewart. 1997. Intellectual Capital
So What? • There’s no right answer, but there are lots of partially right ones! • There’s no formula, but there are lots of variables!
Discussion • So why is your institution doing Web stuff? • What stage(s) has your institution reached? And how can you use this knowledge? • What other factors need consideration? • Is managing the Web really different, or is it being used to further a hidden agenda? • What recommendations do you have and who should be listening?