When Whorunsgov.com first launched in January 2009, we had very little partnership help. In the year since our launch, that has changed with brands like Foreign Policy teaming up with us during our Who Runs the War Project, which created thousands of extra page views. Main Justice, Medill Journalism School and Govloop are other partners that have helped us in significant ways. Not surprisingly, probably the most substantial partnership we’ve seen in terms of total page views came from the WashingtonPost.com. Since the Web site began linking to our profiles, the number of page views on our site has increased greatly.
It made me wonder about government wikis. For us, a for-profit wiki, partnerships are key. I’m wondering if that’s the same among government wikis? How much partnership is seen among agencies, offices and/or departments? Do you have any success stories? Any failures? I would love to hear from you; it would give some insight into how successful partners work together and provide ideas to those organizations that try to go-it alone.
-Ryan
Whorunsgov.com
Don’t forget to help showcase Rajiv Shah as the Whorunsgov Official of the Week!
That’s a fun story. Actually I think it is a good example of how a wiki needs to be a part of the “core” business process. In an agency, if a wiki is just on the side and not part of how work is being done, it won’t be popular. If you include it as part of the key process, then it really works.
I see the same with your analogy. The moment WhoRunsGov became a part of the “core” business process – washingtonpost.com – it is really growing.
Cool story and analogy!
It’s true. The more you embrace what the wiki is, accept it for what it is and utilize its benefits, the better the wiki will turn out. Which also means, the wiki will have more contributions and become a more dynamic source of information.
Great point!