Section IV
Web 2.0 Assessment Having identified the core best practices of Web 2.0 and understanding how others have applied them is a valuable prerequisite to the true test—the ability to apply these best practices to your own enterprise. The following structured questionnaire will guide you through this process of: • Assessing your organization and products in relation to Web 2.0 best practices • Identifying gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement • Formulating a strategy and plan for leveraging Web 2.0 techniques to better meet your organizational and product objectives This model can be applied to both existing and planned products as well as to internally and externally facing applications. The structure of the questionnaire is based on the eight core patterns of Web 2.0. They can be reviewed in sequence or independently. Keep in mind some general adoption guidelines: Learn • Start with this report and the Web 2.0 Reading List of best web sites and books — Use a simple tool like Bloglines to subscribe to a set of relevant blogs for your industry and interests as well as some Web 2.0-specific blogs • Get firsthand experience using a variety of Web 2.0 applications — Use del.icio.us for bookmarks and Flickr for photos, create a blog using Blogger or Live Spaces, create a LinkedIn profile, and try YouTube • See where Web 2.0 is impacting your industry, partners, competitors, and customers — Do any of your competitors apply practices from this report? — Are there any startups trying to disrupt the status quo? Plan • Evaluate where Web 2.0 patterns and practices align with your needs — Use this assessment as input • Establish a plan with both short and longer-term objectives — Consider by functional area (marketing, operations, etc.) or class of objective (increase revenue and decrease costs) • Begin staff training on appropriate technologies, products, or processes — Whether it’s a small team or group, clear objectives are crucial
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Web 2.0 Principles and Best Practices