Sharing Files - Thoughts

[QAMMAN]

Originally Posted by Marc

Too bad she won't share it with us all here in the open forum.

Hi Marc,

This goes back to one of my earlier remarks when I stated that:
“When it comes to this type of discussion people are afraid to show their documents for 2 reasons. One is that they are considered proprietary and two they are afraid of criticism.”

I think this discussion thread has proven both points. So far (other than svances’s original posting) I am the only one to post an example of my process map.

Many contributors at the cove make their living as consultants or auditors. I certainly don’t blame them for not wanting to give away proprietary work that has taken them 100’s of hours to develop.

In Patricia’s case I know without question she has spent many hundreds of ours developing this ANIMATED model. If she were to just give it to the cove there is no question it would be used by many people who would not even go as far as to thank her for it.

Patricia is a frequent contributor to the forum and has shared her knowledge in many postings throughout the forum. What she has developed in her Business Operating System Model is very valuable, professional, comprehensive, and easily adaptable to any business.

In my opinion she is asking a very reasonable price to purchase the model which would save company’s literally hundreds of hours of work and most likely they would never end up with a final product of this caliber or scope. I have no doubt that she has spent hundreds of hours perfecting it, and it's obvious to me nothing I've seen comes close. This is an animated Model which will make Training and implementation much easier.

It's a shame that her model doesn't just become part of the Standard. It would save companies millions of dollars in time and energy and would get everyone on the same page.

Again I would like to make one thing clear. I am not in any way working with Patricia to solicit business for her. I am simply endorsing the many hours of work she has put into this model. I truly think it would benefit many people who are stuck in this area.

kindest regards,

Rich G.

[Marc]

Split from: Process Map Format and Content - Correct or Incorrect to prevent derailing that thread.

I didn't think I'd get such a reaction to saying it would be nice if the person would share. 99.99% of the people who visit this forum don't so much as post, yet they download gigabytes of info other people have shared here every day. Some people would label these people 'leeches' because they contribute absolutely nothing. Personally, I know that is the way of the world and it's fine by me.

BTW - You most definitely are not the only one here to have shared a process map. There are plenty of process maps shared here in many process map discussion threads.

The whole idea of the site is sharing. I lead off years ago by giving my powerpoint files away free. When it became too expensive to keep this site online I did start charging for the editable files, but the base files are still posted (e.g.: {one of many examples} APQP). I can say I lead by example.

Everyone looks at this issue differently. I've walked into companies and low and behold they had and were using materials which I had authored (and which I had gotten bits and pieces from elsewhere myself - None of this is really new...). I've always been flattered. Others would be upset because they didn't make their 'dime' off the material.

Someone once asked me if I was upset that people were 'stealing' my ideas. The answer is no - Ultimately none of this is new, and I'm glad I could help someone.

As to consultants who visit here who aren't interested in sharing, who are "...not wanting to give away proprietary work that has taken them 100’s of hours to develop...", it's most probably that they, like me, got most (if not all) of their ideas from others whom they are not sharing any $ with. Actually, most of the people who buy my editable files are consultants who don't want to spend 100's of hours reinventing the wheel.

But, be that as it may.... Whether or not a person wants to share is totally up to them. It won't stop me from suggesting, from time to time, that it might be nice if someone shares. Nor do I think it's wrong (or a big deal) for me to suggest that someone share something.

[BradM]

OK, I feel like I am getting into the middle of a conversation, so I am a little unclear what the issue is. But, as to sharing files, here are some thoughts.

The primary intent for this site is helping others. That can come in many different forms. If someone does not share a file, there may be several different reasons:

1. The file is copyright protected
2. The file is proprietary
3. Various other personal reasons

I am fine with all three. However... it does become a little too much of a teaser if one keeps referring to some document, process map, etc. and can't provide it as a reference. Like the guy saying "Wow.. I was there! It was awesome!" but no one else can ever see it.

Now... as far as criticism: I think most everyone here is quite grateful when people provide files. Now if there are some fundamental problems/issues with the attachment, I think it behooves others to address it. Are we not all in the business of process improvement? If that criticism ever becomes too strong, just report the post. It will be dealt with.

[SteelMaiden]

I did not add any files on this particular subject for one reason. I got a lot of what went into my process map from right here. There are tons of examples, and a simple search would find lots. The older I get, the less often I post to threads that have been covered multiple times in the past. If I do post, I would likely recommend looking through the previous threads, but in the last year or so, so many of the new posters complained about the "old timers" saying, "try a search" that I haven't even been doing that much because I don't want people to think I am judging someone that did not do searches first. I know that sometimes you are in a hurry, and some of us are better about defining searches.

[Marc]

Folks, please don't take this as a negative thread. Those of you who know me know I'm always prodding people to share and to help each other. There is nothing personal in this thread.

[ralphsulser]

Yeah, what she said. I agree and have the same experiences.

[Benjamin28]

Sharing information is the basis of this forum, it's only natural that if you're going to use the forum you should expect the other users to want you to share your information. This doesn't mean that you necessarily have to do so, however, it is through the generousity and contribution of time and info by the users of this forum, that this place functions at all.

If you're going to sell (exclaim a products wonderful attributes in public) but not be able to actually provide the item, you should expect that people are going to ask for it. If you don't want to be asked for it, then you shouldn't be exclaiming it's greatness on a public forum and instead should use more discrete channels, or more suitable areas, to sell your product.

I think the problem here is that the author could not share the data publicly on a public forum, and therefore should have written a private message to the OP....the way it was written it ended up a tease for the readers of the forum and was just begging for someone to say "hey, share it here now that you've exclaimed how great it is."



Anyhow, I don't think there is any "end-all" format for process maps, if it works for your company, if it makes sense to your management and it covers the necessary data in an industry accepted format, then that is all you need, the rest is just a matter of opinion and personal tastes.

[SteelMaiden]

Originally Posted by Marc

Folks, please don't take this as a negative thread. Those of you who know me know I'm always prodding people to share and to help each other. There is nothing personal in this thread.

Oh, heavens no, I don't take it as negative at all, I just thought I'd give a reason why I don't always jump right in to add a file. Most of the stuff I do is old hat, been here, done here, no need to repost.

We're cool, and U (still) D Man!