Advantages and Disadvantages of Collaboration

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Collaboration

To complete a series of interactive team writing modules, go to “Additional Resources” in Ch. 4: macmillanhighered.com/ launchpad/techcomm11e.

As a student, you probably have already worked collaboratively on course projects. As a professional, you will work collaboratively on many more projects. In the workplace, the stakes might be higher. Effective collaboration can make you look like a star, but ineffective collaboration can ruin an important project—and hurt your reputation. The best way to start thinking about collaboration is to understand its main advantages and disadvantages.

ADVANTAGES OF COLLABORATION

According to a survey conducted by Cisco Systems (2010), more than 75 percent of those surveyed said that collaboration is critical to their success on the job. Some 90 percent said that collaboration makes them more productive. Writers who collaborate can create a better document and improve the way an organization functions:

DISADVANTAGES OF COLLABORATION

Collaboration can also have important disadvantages: