Spacebook: Lessons Learned from NASAEmma Antunes

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

emma.antunes@nasa.gov

What is Spacebook?

NASA Spacebook is a social network for group collaboration that features:- User Profiles

- Group workspace - Wikis

- File sharing

- Discussion forums

- Social Bookmarks

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Why did we do it?

We wanted to use Social Media to:- Improve business processes

- Build effective relationships with our stakeholders and partners

- Drive innovation & discovery

Why did we do it?

Innovation & Discovery: NASA’s Business- Innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines

Why did we do it?

Why did we do it?

Design Lessons

Know your community & what they need- What problems could we solve with better access

to tools & information?

- What keeps our community up at night?

- Meet with stakeholders & get their feedback. Iterate!

Plan for content sustainability- Take advantage of existing processes & content sources

- Don’t expect anyone to change their process for you

Design Lessons

Don’t throw technology at people- Design first, Technology Second

Answer “what’s in it for me” for every user segment

- Give them something they can use even if they don’t author

NASA Demographics

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40-60 year olds

People Lessons

…Fear…Uncertainty…Doubt

People Lessons

Same concerns as email 20 years ago- Perceived Loss of Control

- Fears about Appropriate Use

What did we learn?

Need for training on social media concepts- How do I use this for work?

- What are the rules of behavior?

- What is “official?”

Change in Publishing Paradigm

Who- Shift in training needs; new community needs to learn

rules/conventions around web publishing

What- Share responsibly: information categories still apply

When- Information release procedures need to be updated

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Enterprise Lessons

Internet Conventions have to adapt- Friends “connections” or “contacts”

- Open access to profile information

What did we learn?

Keys to success

- Training & Education

- Information release strategy

- Misuse reporting

- No anonymous publishing

Summary

Use enterprise social media to meet business goals

Focus on the people first, then the technology decisions are easier

- Plan for user adoption

- With change comes FUD: apply your people management skills