Online Management System: Wielding Web 2.0 Tools to Collaboratively Manage and Track Projects

Online social media software, commonly used for interacting with library patrons, can be creatively wielded for communication, supervision and project management within a library department. This paper outlines in detail an innovative online management and communication system created by the Digital Services Department at the University of Houston. The system harnesses a suite of free online collaborative software products and Web 2.0 communication tools. Some advantages of implementing an online management system include: remote workforce management, streamlined management responsibilities and robust capture of project data. The paper includes in-depth descriptions of how the system was created and configured along with lessons learned and suggestions for establishing similar procedures at other institutions.