The “collaboratory” is an open-space, creative method for hosting meaningful conversations where various stakeholders tap into the collective intelligence to generate solutions to complex problems.

Business School Lausanne has enthusiastically embraced the “collaboratory” method in running community events since early 2013.

The idea originates from the visioning work of a large group of people – including scholars, artists, consultants, students, activists, and other professionals – who worked together on the 50+20 initiative, aiming at radically transforming management education.

By fusing two elements, “collaboration” and “laboratory”, the word “collaboratory” suggests the construction of a space where people explore collaborative innovations. “The laboratory also nicely implies a notion of exploration and experimentation, thus staying clear of the notion of perfection or standardization,” explains BSL’s Dean, Dr. Katrin Muff. Dr. Muff edited and co-authored “The Collaboratory” book (Greenleaf Publishing, July 2014), which introduces the “collaboratory” concept and offers practical recommendations on adopting this engagement process to harness collective intelligence.

“The philosophy of the collaboratory involves a facilitated circular space that is open to stakeholders to meet and discuss burning societal issues. It is an open space for all stakeholders where action learning and action research join forces, and students, educators, and researchers work with members of all facets of society to address current dilemmas.” – suggests Dr. Muff in defining what “collaboratory” really means. “It is a place where people can think, work, and learn together to invent their common future,” she continues to explore the concept.

Facilitators of this collective process are highly experienced coaches who act as lead learners and guardians of the collaboratory space. They see themselves as transient gatekeepers of a world in need of new solutions. Subject experts are responsible for providing relevant knowledge and contributing it to the discussion in a relevant and pertinent manner.

The collaboratory idea has been picked up by various individuals and organizations that represent the education, business, NGO, and social enterprise communities and advocate the benefits of collective thinking in making the world a better place.

Book Reviews

More and more people today recognize that the problems we face will require an order-of-magnitude increase in our capacity to collaborate across all manner of institutional, national, sectoral, and cultural borders. But I fear the gap between rhetoric and reality will sink this ship before if ever gets out of port – unless the emerging insights from master practitioners like those in The Collaboratory spread quickly.- Peter Senge, MIT and the Society for Organizational Learning

Every few years a new technology energizes the field of planned change. The Collaboratory is the latest example. Every change agent needs to read this book. – Robert E. Quinn, Margaret Elliott Tracy Collegiate Professor in Business Administration & Professor of Management and Organizations, University of Michigan

Collaboration and Co-creation are needed NOW; this book provides the practical tools for making change happen – Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, Director, One Planet Leaders, WWF International