Exploring the Selection of Technology for Enabling Communities

Communities, whilst represented and apparent in their members, are most evident in the technological entity—the technology and tools that support the common and communal activities. Technology acts as the enabler linking a group of individuals who are most likely dispersed, in terms of time and place, and facilitates their interaction. So you have decided or been asked to create or facilitate the activities of a community, but how do you select an appropriate solution for the requirements of a particular community and its members? Do you follow a traditional systems and software acquisition route: establish the requirement, develop the system, approach a consultant, call the IS department to see how you can adapt existing technologies? Or do you adopt an approach that can also be viewed as part of the community development process through the generation of involvement, engagement leading to ownership of the community and therein its future activities?