I already touched on this in my earlier article entitled “Twitter and Facebook as Project Management Tools? In that article, I came to the conclusion that there is no real viable use in PM for either Twitter or Facebook. I explained that I see Facebook as a good connector for family and friends with no real business application at all. And Twitter is, at best, a networking or promotion tool, but isn’t of any real value to the world of a Project Manager.

 

 

 

 

Facebook Still a No-Go

 

 

 

 

The original article garnered quite a few comments. I expected this given the high usage of each site. Nearly everyone agreed that there really isn’t a good application in the PM world for Facebook. If one were to setup a group just for a specific project, then possibly I could see some value. On going comments could be seen by all team members subscribed to the group and files could be shared.

 

 

 

 

However, this just seems to be a case of introducing something “just to use it” when tried and true communications still work and do not need replaced. The frustrating thing about using a new method like this when it’s not needed is that you end up using both, taking twice as much time to do what you were already doing and then never being certain who’s using which tool so there’s always a question mark. As the PM, I never want to be uncertain whether my team received the information I sent over. But if I have to post send it 2 ways (email and Facebook) to accommodate both types of users, then I’ve doubled the chance (not halved it) that information could be missed.

 

 

 

 

Twitter – Minor Pluses

 

 

 

 

After receiving comments and rethinking, I will now admit that I can see some minor good that can come from Twitter usage in the business world beyond just networking and self-promotion. One individual commented that a Twitter message sent out to the general community got a critical question answered and rescued a project.

 

 

 

 

I can see that happening very easily because with Twitter, you’re sending it out to the world. Anyone can find it even though they may not be following you – you just have to make sure you put relevant search words in the message. The 140-character limit is frustrating, but you can link to something longer, if necessary. Since getting that feedback comment, I’ve used it to reach out to others on information I needed for software and issue resolution.

 

 

 

 

However, I still contend that Twitter is really not a useful tool for collaboration and project management. It may get you an answer you need – not very quickly though…the best you can probably hope for is 24 hours. But someone will eventually reach out to you most likely. But in terms of disseminating critical information on a project to team members and customers… I still don’t see it as having any viable application in the PM world. It still remains to me, just a tool for networking with other like-minded individuals, a means of promoting your thoughts or work or whatever it is you’re doing, or possibly a way to get some questions answered. For true collaboration as a team, stick with email, phone and other devices to share knowledge like sharepoints and wikis.