Definition
Understanding Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is a collaborative strategy that harnesses the power of the crowd – typically a large, diverse group of people connected online – to perform tasks, solve problems, or generate innovative ideas. The crowd could be made up of amateurs, professionals, or a mix of both, depending on the task at hand.
Advanced Aspects of Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is not just about gathering ideas; it’s about engaging a large crowd in a meaningful way. The process often involves:
- Defining the problem or task
- Inviting participation from a crowd
- Collecting and analyzing responses
- Implementing the best solutions
It’s a powerful tool for innovation and problem-solving, as it taps into diverse perspectives and skill sets. It’s also cost-effective, as it distributes the work among a large group, reducing the time and resources required.
Crowdsourcing in Agile and Innovation
In Agile and Innovation practices, crowdsourcing can be used to gather customer feedback, generate new product ideas, or even solve complex technical problems. It encourages collaboration and transparency, key principles of Agile methodology.
Usage Examples
1. Wikipedia: The online encyclopedia relies on crowdsourcing for content creation and editing, allowing anyone, anywhere, to contribute and edit articles.
2. Kickstarter: This crowdfunding platform allows entrepreneurs to raise funds for their projects from a ‘crowd’ of backers.
3. Innocentive: This platform uses crowdsourcing to solve complex scientific problems, offering cash rewards to the ‘solver’.
Historical Context
The term ‘crowdsourcing’ was coined by Jeff Howe in a 2006 Wired magazine article, where he described it as the act of taking a job traditionally performed by a designated agent and outsourcing it to an undefined, generally large group of people.
Misconceptions
- Crowdsourcing is not a ‘free labor’ model. While it can be cost-effective, it often involves offering incentives or rewards to participants.
- Not all crowdsourcing initiatives are successful. It requires careful planning, clear communication, and effective crowd management.
Comparisons
- Crowdsourcing vs Open Source: While both involve collaboration, open source is about making a product’s design publicly accessible, while crowdsourcing is about gathering contributions from a large group.
- Crowdsourcing vs Crowdfunding: Crowdsourcing involves gathering ideas or solutions, while crowdfunding is about raising funds from a large group of people.
Related Concepts
- Open Source
- Peer Production
- Crowdfunding
- Citizen Science
