Creating an online forum and workspace

Tasks included

What was needed

PRISM is a European joint project to examine the 'intangible assets' that companies possess. These 'intangibles', such as skills and techniques, expertise and research, are increasingly recognised as part of a company's portfolio and hence their chances of commercial success or failure. The project draws its members from academic institutions in Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK, plus an advisory council of representatives from the business community. It is funded by the Information Society project office of the European Union.

PRISM was seen as an ideal opportunity to test the viability of running the project as an online forum. It was hoped that this would avert the tide of emails that characterises large projects and give a sense of community that would make the project more successful. Along with project manager Nigel Courtney we were to provide the framework for this to happen. Once conceived, the site would be built, hosted and maintained by us.

[next page]