These diagrams were inspired by some conversations with friends whose company was displaced in the 9-11 bombings of the World Trade Center in New York City. This is a starting point for thinking both about tools and processes that can be used to heal disrupted and dispersed networks of people.

• intact infrastructure
• intact groups
• intact network (but how well knit?)
• system wide understanding of who is where in groups and networks

• minimal infrastructure
• dispersed groups
• some totally disconnected members (not yet called back to work)
• mimimal network
• lack of information on who/where/what/why
• stress of event and results

• minimal infrastructure
• groups reforming but not always connected to related groups
• new, geographically formed groups (do they reflect functional groups)
• reestablishing network, prioritized to high need tasks
• Focus on strengthening groups and connected disconnected individuals
  1. collecting and disseminating contact information (Tools: "out of the box virtual office suites which allow individuals to enter their contact info -- even yahoo groups can do this, basic shared communications functionality as interim before intranet restored)
  2. providing personal, warm electronic communication to reestablish sense of connection, continuity (Tools: discussion boards and voice/text chat rooms with appropriate privacy gradients)
  3. provide a safe place to share/talk/process for work and personal issues (Tools: text and voice chat, discussion boards, privacy gradients, facilitation and appropriate mental health oversight.)

• groups reestablishing internal connections
• some inter-group connections
• Continue strengthening groups, start connecting groups to rebuild network
  1. Formalized inter-team connections, reports (Tools: short online events, a "bullentin board" where teams can report their status)
  2. continue providing personal, warm electronic communication to reestablish sense of connection, continuity, safe place to talk (Tools: discussion boards and text/voice chat rooms with appropriate privacy gradientsfacilitation and appropriate mental health oversight.)
  3. Start initial network wide communications

• groups reestablished
• increased inter group connections
• stronger network
• Stronger focus on strengthening the network
  1. "Normalization" of business processes
  2. Full network communications of major ssues
  3. Continued attention to group and intergroup processes

• return to strong groups within intact network