Apparent problems with a Genetic Algorithm Strategy

These are very strong incentives for using a genetic algorithm style. E-business solutions created in this way, will take the form of flexible adaptive systems that constantly adapt to a changing, highly competitive and unpredictable environment. But, it will require a more detached, hands off style of leadership. There can be no fixed goals, only experimental excursions into the unknown. Each generation of a solution would need to be more in the nature of building prototypes, than designing a finished project. This would appear to present many problems.

A system of collaboration must have direction. It must have feedback and a controlling influence that ensures there is no wastage of time, money or resources. There has to be a realistic and tangible element of trust between collaborators, to ensure that everyone has confidence that their time and effort will be suitably rewarded. Responsibility, guidance and trust are absolutely essential to the viability of any collaborative project, so, how are these going to be achieved using a seemingly unstructured, loose strategy?

There will be three questions to be answered:

1) Who would be in a position to exercise control over such a strategy?

2) How can the all important matter of trust be established?

3) How can a project be given stability, a goal and a direction?

On list serves and email discussion forums all over the Internet there are constantly attempts made to organise collaborative or cooperative activity. It very seldom happens because few people take into consideration that the environment of the Internet is a virtual world, where anyone can pretend to be anyone they want to be. Men can pretend to be women, women can pretend to be men. Novices can appear to be experts. The pauper can appear to be rich. A student working from a bedroom at home can create the impression of being a substantial business operation.

Although this levels the playing field for the startups and the disadvantaged, it also provides an ideal environment for cheaters, hucksters, confidence tricksters and pretenders. What's to stop people from reneging on promises, being unreliable, delivering shoddy products or incompetent work?

Even worse than deliberate dishonesty or misrepresentation is misunderstanding. This is the bane of Internet communications. How do you safeguard against, and avoid, collaborative associations that go wrong through misunderstandings?

It is by being able to answer these questions and solve these kind of problems that a collaborative strategy will stand or fall.