Have you met ROS?
The value of cross library collaboration in project
management and delivery
UNSW Library
Presented by Clare McKenzie and Emma McLean
‘Who’ is ROS? Some
background
Investigating further
Unpacking the keys to
successful collaboration
Library Senior Management Group
Digital
Libraries
Electronic
Resources
Library
Application
Support
Information
Services
Outreach
Central
Services
Project
Support
Investigating success
Image: ‘Investigation’ by Paul Vladuchick CC BY- NC 2.0
Four elements of collaboration
Interpersonal
Organisational
Developmental
Leadership
Interpersonal
Trust is crucial
Image: ‘Trust’ by . .. CC BY- NC 2.0
Interpersonal
Organisational
Developmental
Leadership
• Use existing trust to get
started
• Build trust and
communication channels
• Develop workflows and
processes that meet
everyone’s outcomes
Developmental
Work together
to develop new
skills
Image: ‘Castellers in London’ by Jaume Escofet CC BY- 2.0
Interpersonal
Organisational
Developmental
Leadership
• Encourage sharing of new
skills and/or knowledge
• Think outside existing
roles to help team
members develop and
build skills
• Consider context for staff
working outside their
traditional roles
Organisational
Create strong ties between teams
Image: Bosnia and Herzogovina-02255 – Old Bridge by Dennis Jarvis CC BY-SA 2.0
Interpersonal
Organisational
Developmental
Leadership
• Choose a staffing model that
is fit for purpose
• Leverage existing trust and
communication channels
• The expertise needed might
be spread across different
teams
• Allow the development of new
communication channels
Leadership
Empower your leaders
Image: ‘4.IX Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Raii’ by MITTO Sittembre Musica CC BY- 2.0
Interpersonal
Organisational
Developmental
Leadership
• Have strong leadership buy-in
at the top
• Be clear about strategy and
scope
• Lead by (collaborative)
example
• Distribute task leadership to
the expert teams
Overlap = strength
Interpersonal
Developmental
Organisational
Leadership
• Trust is crucial
• Work together to
develop new skills
• Create strong ties
between teams
• Empower your leaders