Are you reaping the rewards of radical collaboration?

The average factory has hundreds of systems and hundreds of software applications – just within one company. Multiplied across supply chains, thousands of systems and datasets have enormous value locked in them, but don’t speak to each other and aren’t brought together. If shared and analyzed, insights from this proliferation of “walled” IT systems and software in industrial processes in sectors as diverse as energy, pharmaceuticals, and transportation can help companies become more sustainable, increase machine lifecycles, and improve efficiency and productivity.

How do you build radical collaboration within your own organization?

1. Understand why silos develop

The first step to eradicating silos is to understand that it’s a basic human tendency to build walls around us to keep the wolves out when we don’t feel safe. The more transparent you are with difficult decisions, the more willing people are to let go of their silos and share their data.

2. Bring leaders together (but don’t silo them!)

Bring leaders representing all sides of the business together, but don’t then allow them to create a silo – they still have to have end-to-end responsibility for their actions.

3. Build trust and ensure collaboration is a continuous process

Central to collaboration is the need to change mindsets and nurture trust, which is based on relationships established over a very long period, so you have to be patient.

4. Treat AI like any other technology

AI is a tool like any other technology, so if you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t use it. Randomly equipping everyone with AI tools is not the most effective way to harness their transformative potential.