Social media has been quite the buzz lately covering the entire spectrum. Some engineers have grasped the idea, others are probably more the skeptical engineering type. There are alot of guys that want a better explanation to exactly what social media is and what it does for them. There are some guys that want a better explanation to exactly what social media is and what it can do for them. I get the feeling that some guys want a formula that can show what social media can do for them? I'm not sure it's that easy.
I saw a post from COFES where an engineer jokingly stated that "...yeah, I'm not going to design a plane on facebook". Pretty funny statement, brings a bit of reality to the topic. I have had conversation with guys about Twitter and other tools out there. Response is mixed, either they feel they "don't get it" or feel its "not for me". The reasons are all over the map-- don't care, no time, not interested. What I find interesting is that these same guys don't have any issues frequenting certain forums of interest. I'm not sure Twitter is much different, it all depends on how you use it.
I do appreciate the skepticism, but I'm not a fan of narrow mindedness. Just because its different, just because you aren't into it or understand it, doesn't mean it has no value.
Simply put, social media, in my eyes is about communication, interaction, collaboration, knowledge gathering and knowledge sharing. Hmm, parallels engineering pretty closely from a top level? I'm the first to admit that there is a lot of fluff that all gets categorized as social media. But I think there is tremendous value being "plugged in, connected and informed".
Not too long ago, PTC announced what they coined Social Product Development. Instantly, eyes began to roll as it looked life another acronym was in the works. BUT, I immediately got what they meant. They are right! Is My Space and Facebook going to take over product development? No. But the idea of collaborating via the web, staying in tuned with other sites across the globe is a requirement in today's world. Tomorrow's engineers don't know life any other way. They will change the way we collaborate and view communication from a product development standpoint.
There are products popping up all over the place that allow engineers to communicate their design ideas across all of the aspects of product design. Check out vuuch. A tool that enables the design discussions within a cad environment. All of these tools will rise and fall over the near future. The strong will survive.
We will see the future of social media and product development begin to incorporate PLM/PDM info, text messages via iphones, instant messaging systems, video messaging, 3D mark-up, including FEA/CFD simulation and physical prototyping as well as 3D printing. Seem far fetched? Hang tight, folks, its coming.
We will see the future of social media and product development begin to incorporate PLM/PDM info, text messages via iphones, instant messaging systems, video messaging, 3D mark-up, including FEA/CFD simulation and physical prototyping as well as 3D printing. Seem far fetched? Hang tight, folks, its coming.
7 comments:
Derrek, great post. If I were to split hairs, I would say that social media as we generally know it today, is not a good fit for product development (too risky), but social computing is (see my introductory blog on this topic http://tinyurl.com/ch8jgv). I agree with your point of view and really like the way you talk about it. The type of response you get is not unfamiliar to me. That said, I find our customers bring this subject up more often than I do.
good stuff, I completely agree with your sentiment that social media today will not play a big role in product development. But it certainly is laying the foundation.
I think we will take the ideas of im, twitter, linkedin etc and begin to incorporate it into our day to day..
Nice Post Derrek. I've pretty much moved past the point of selling people on the advantages of SM - those that are not there are being pushed into it by their family or friends. Now it is more "oh, you use twitter, here's are some good CAD resources" or "Using Facebook? Check this out this Facebook group." My last personal blog post was on how to use twitter with the least amount of effort :-)
One area of social media that I do think is more interesting for Product Designers are 3D immersive internet technologies. There is a lot more out there than Twitter and Facebook.
I've lot lots of blog posts on this if interested.
Coop, agree with your post and I think there has to be some dramatic shifts in how its implemented.
Wasn't too suprised to see that 60% of Twitter users quit after a month. Today its too stand alone and disconnected for most day to day applications.
As it becomes imbedded in the things we use day to day then it will start to get exciting and the implications/applications will be huge.
Good topic! Glad you're raising the issue.
Social media like Facebook and Twitter are not meant to be collaborative design platforms, so, to me, rejecting them under that pretext is like rejecting a box of chocolate for its failure to quench one's thirst.
Nevertheless, the way these applications allow people to stay in touch with friends and families and identify others with common interests could serve as the model for how engineers might work together in the near future.
Very interesting perspective on social media and Engineers! Have you investigated the new online community, element14, developed for engineers- a place to do both research and collaborate versus one or the other? Would be interested to hear your feedback! www.element-14.com
Solid,solid post. It seems to me that,clearly, the uses of social media in terms of helping engineers collaborate will grow the future. My question/desire is how can it be used to engage. I would think that social media could be used to illustrate the amazing things that can be achieved using engineering. More ever, it could be a showcase for the reasons many of us chose to become engineers.
Tony
http://markanthonygreen.blogspot.com
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