Lightweight Apps at DisneyLightweight Apps at DisneyWeb 2.0 ConferenceWeb 2.0 ConferenceEnterprise Social SoftwareEnterprise Social SoftwareOctober 5October 5thth, 2004, 2004

Michael PusateriMichael PusateriDisney ABC Cable Networks GroupDisney ABC Cable Networks Group

What exactly are we doingWhat exactly are we doingSolving problems that users have by creating Solving problems that users have by creating

new software systemsnew software systemsUsing weblog software, wiki software, and Using weblog software, wiki software, and

syndication software in lightweight enterprise syndication software in lightweight enterprise operationsoperations

What are my choices?What are my choices? Conventional WisdomConventional Wisdom

Use well-known, high-end workflow software vendors to Use well-known, high-end workflow software vendors to solve problemssolve problems

Invariably involves consultants to modify software to meet Invariably involves consultants to modify software to meet needsneeds

Spend a lot of money, take a lot of timeSpend a lot of money, take a lot of time Alternative MethodAlternative Method

Keep it simpleKeep it simple Utilize existing software that is orders of magnitude less Utilize existing software that is orders of magnitude less

costlycostly Get to a good starting point, focus on continuous incremental Get to a good starting point, focus on continuous incremental

improvementimprovement Maintain ability to modify software as neededMaintain ability to modify software as needed

How did make the decision to use these How did make the decision to use these systems?systems?

Desire for the existing system to be changedDesire for the existing system to be changed(If it ain’t broke…)(If it ain’t broke…)

Understand minimum criteria for successUnderstand minimum criteria for successGet agreement on not building a completely Get agreement on not building a completely

comprehensive system comprehensive system (build what is needed, not wish lists)(build what is needed, not wish lists)

Compare the costsCompare the costs

How do you get users to accept the new How do you get users to accept the new methodologies and paradigms?methodologies and paradigms?Don’t tell users there are new methodologies Don’t tell users there are new methodologies

and paradigms, they don’t care or need to and paradigms, they don’t care or need to know.know.

Show them that the new systems allow them Show them that the new systems allow them to get their work doneto get their work done

Show them that you can fix problems that Show them that you can fix problems that prevent them from getting their work done prevent them from getting their work done going forwardgoing forward

What did we do?What did we do?Used weblog software and syndication Used weblog software and syndication

aggregation to replace and improve existing aggregation to replace and improve existing team communication softwareteam communication software

Used wikis to allow team collaboration on Used wikis to allow team collaboration on information about projects and ongoing information about projects and ongoing responsibilitesresponsibilites

What is still needed?What is still needed?RSS Aggregation in Exchange / Remote AdminRSS Aggregation in Exchange / Remote AdminMore RSS/Atom code like Rome APIsMore RSS/Atom code like Rome APIsAuthentication & Authorization for syndication Authentication & Authorization for syndication

feedsfeeds

Did I forget anything?Did I forget anything?

Questions?Questions?mike.pusateri@disney.commike.pusateri@disney.com