No. 155 · Work · Systems
Crowdsourcing
Many people, each giving a little, can solve what a few experts cannot.
In the Almanac
“Wikipedia”, 2001–2006 · “The Netflix Prize”, 2006–2009
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
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Questions
What is Crowdsourcing?
Crowdsourcing taps the collective intelligence of many people, usually online. The term was coined by Jeff Howe in 2006, and examples range from Wikipedia's volunteer editors to Lego's fan-designed sets and the Netflix Prize, which offered a million dollars to improve its recommendations.
How do you use Crowdsourcing?
When facing a complex choice, ask your network or relevant communities for input to gain perspectives you might miss. Use crowd-built resources to learn new skills, and for community projects, invite a diverse group in early, since many minds often produce better ideas and execution.
When does Crowdsourcing matter?
Crowdsourcing is one of the 43 mental models for work, the situations where you ask: How do I get the right things done? Within that, it belongs to “Organising the work”, alongside Algorithms, Boots on the Ground and Cargo Cult.
What is an example of Crowdsourcing?
Two stories show it at work: Wikipedia (2001–2006) and The Netflix Prize (2006–2009). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Crowdsourcing?
Groupthink, Free Rider Problem and Prediction Market. Crowdsourcing itself comes from systems.