Moving forward

That would be helpful, but even that will not stop people from posting the same topics again. A local search function would be very helpful for finding previous discussions on a given topic.

Perhaps the moderators could then post links to previous discussions when we see repeats appear and lock out the new threads.

Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems - eTaskMaker Project Planning Software

Hi there, good suggestion.

We do have a search function located on both the forum category and topic pages that allows users to search for current content.

Perhaps it needs explaining more ?

Maybe so! I’m not seeing any search function when looking at this topic/thread.

[edit]OK. I see it on the list of forums and list of topics/threads page. I suggest the search function be duplicated at the top of the page as well and included on every topic/thread page as well.[/edit]

Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems - eTaskMaker Project Planning Software

I was thinking to something more.
To have a section of the web where all the experience earned from the discussions can be found summarized in articles or small presentation, as well as us planner we can share our working files, procedures with others.

Luca,

are you suggesting that, after discussion on a topic has run its course, the content and conclusions be written up in essay form along with a conclusion ? This would then be a regular article published on PP (and elsewhere)?

As an idea it has merit. Perhaps we should canvas opinion from others who regularly contribute to the forums. Perhaps also, we should have someone pick a topic and then draft such an article (making reference to the threads on PP). The form of the article should also lend itself to the medium we use as it would require frequent links to the forum threads themselves (and other reference materials). Sort of like Kinja aggregating weblogs, but with our article aggregating forum posts / threads. I don’t know if other forums have developed a bespoke aggregator to help.

Any suggestions for a topic ? Any volunteers ?)

Yes,
You got the idea.
I think it can add a lot of value to the site and avoid discussion laready had, as every body can start with the same aknoledge.
Of course if he is not agree can start a new post, otherwise the his need are paid back.

So You will need a new tag in the top banner, as technical documents or somethign similar, organized as the forum (P3, P3e, MsP, etc ...) and with top down the articles.

It is a long work, that before to be issued in the web site should be also revised at least by two more person, but at long will save a lot of work to the mderators that must follow a lot of post, 90% always on the same issue.

Excellent the idea to split the work between us.

See what happen in the "weighting factor" discussion.
We were starting a discussion that was already done three times, as per hyperlinks given by Bernard.

If the previous experienced were summarized in an article
this would not happen, except someone has different point of view and we start to discuss on it!

Luca:

I agree with you.

Compilation and summarization of various talks on one issue has been suggested several times to Admin PP for easy reference to see all discussions at one place but still no update which should be done asap.

I am not saying they have to do all teh articles, but if we all partecipate and split down the work, the moderator can formaward to us all the material of the different discussion.
We prepare the articles, we go in a internal review by few other members, and then will be published for the benefits of all.
So a major involvment from our side is needed, but I think every body can contribute, as we will not have dead lines, if we give one week before or later will be not a problem.
And few horus at week we can find!

Luca

Hi Shahzad, Luca,

You are making a very god observation. What PP needs now is for some of the PPers to volunteer to develop some of these papers.

The PP Admin team will be more than happy to assist with this and house the reports on the site.

Happy Planning!
PP is run and developed by volunteers

James you make a very good point that may not always be appreciated. PP is run by volunteers. We do not have a sponsor or a backer like other sites (for example allPM is a great site, backed by IIL (a training provider).

Nevertheless, Luca and Shahzad, you have made a valuable suggestion that should be taken on. How about you two (and I) take this on as a pilot project to see how it works ? Our chosen subject is to make an article summarising the "weighting factor" discussions that have been held to-date on PP. I’m not up on the technical issues involved, but will help with the process and structure (ahh .. PM-speak !).

Let’s formulate a plan of action here in this thread:
1. Search (and list) forums for all posts on weighting factor.
2. Summarise questions posed.
3. Summarise opinions / topics/ theories discussed
4. Summarise conclusions reached
5. Compare this with industry practice
6. Make a recommendation
7. Include references
8. Draft
9. Solicit comment. Probably from posters in the listed threads.
10. Edit
11. Publish

I’m also interested in the tools used for publishing. I’m an advocate of weblogs and of news aggregators. Perahps we could explore a cutting edge way of publishing that retains links to all the listed threads ? I don’t recall anyone collating and using forums threads in this way before. Great stuff !

Guys, thoughts please ?

I’ve seen several blogs that monitor forums with a "roundtable" format summarizing (and pointing out) interesting topics. It does not stop the topics from being repeated in the forums though.

Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems - eTaskMaker Project Planning Software