This article exemplifies the importance of building on an established collaborative effort. He likens the use of collaboration over the Internet, which connects people and facilities, to the work of a colony of ants. One ant working alone cannot accomplish what the group working in concert can do. Getting the various workers in diverse settings to communicate on product development is the key. The earlier in the process the various people can bring their individual perspectives to the design problem, the better the results.
Collaboration takes that collective intelligence and makes it work together.
This approach avoids much backtracking as errors are found and greatly aids a process of simulation. Training and Development. Tackles the problem of distinguishing collaboration from communication. The author quotes Elliot Masie as defining digital collaboration as the use of technology to enhance and extend the abilities of individuals and organizations to collaborate, independent of their vertical area. Having a common goal is critical to a collaboration.