Module 5: Collaborative Questions

Understanding Connections and DataShare

Key Benefit:
Collaboration expands RM Compare’s reach and power, but requires strategic questioning to navigate trust, security, and workflow complexities.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Five Collaborative Question Types

  1. Connection Setup Questions
    "What are the technical, security, and governance prerequisites to establish a connection via DataShare?"
  2. Role and Access Questions
    "How are user roles and data permissions managed across connected Licence Centres?"
  3. Workflow Coordination Questions
    "How do collaborating Licence Centres coordinate session creation, judging, and data sharing?"
  4. Security and Privacy Questions
    "What mechanisms ensure data privacy and prevent unauthorized access in DataShare?"
  5. Risk and Issue Mitigation Questions
    "What potential risks arise from collaboration and how can we proactively manage them?"

Question Framework #1 – Connection Setup

The Template:
"What steps, approvals, and technical requirements are needed to set up a DataShare connection between two Licence Centres?"

Examples:
✅ "What organisational agreements and data protection checks are necessary before connecting with a partner centre?"
✅ "How do I generate and share Connector Codes securely to establish trust?"

Why It’s Critical:
Proper setup prevents security breaches and ensures smooth data exchange.

Question Framework #2 – Role and Access Management

The Template:
"How are roles assigned and permissions controlled for users in connected Licence Centres during collaborative sessions?"

Examples:
✅ "What limitations do external Session Creators have when joining a Multi-Centre session via DataShare?"
✅ "How can we ensure judges only see session data appropriate to their role and centre?"

Benefits:
Clear access management balances collaboration with confidentiality.

Question Framework #3 – Coordinating Workflows

The Template:
"How do connected Licence Centres coordinate session planning, judging, and result aggregation in collaborative assessments?"

Examples:
✅ "What steps does each centre take when co-hosting a multi-school session?"
✅ "How is judging workload balanced and results consolidated across centres?"

Importance:
Effective workflow coordination avoids duplication and confusion.

Question Framework #4 – Security and Privacy Safeguards

The Template:
"What security features and privacy controls protect data in DataShare-enabled collaborative sessions?"

Examples:
✅ "How is data encrypted in transit and at rest between Licence Centres?"
✅ "What audit trails exist for data access and changes in collaborative sessions?"

Outcome:
Ensures compliance with data protection regulations and organizational policies.

Question Framework #5 – Risk and Issue Management

The Template:
"What are the common risks in multi-centre collaborations and how should Licence Centres monitor and mitigate them?"

Examples:
✅ "What contingency plans exist if a partner centre’s data security is compromised?"
✅ "How do we handle conflicts arising from session ownership or data disagreements?"

Benefits:
Proactive risk management fosters trust and operational resilience.

Lesson 2: Scenario Questions – Collaborative Challenges

Scenario 1:
"If a connected Licence Centre experiences a breach, what immediate questions should I ask to understand impact and respond?"

Scenario 2:
"When onboarding new partners to a Multi-Centre session, what questions ensure smooth cooperation and mutual understanding?"

Practice:
Design a collaborative scenario relevant to your organization and craft a sequence of questions to manage it effectively.

Lesson 3: Collaborative Question Development

Exercise 1: Connection Setup (12 min)

Exercise 2: Role and Access (12 min)

Exercise 3: Workflow Coordination (12 min)

Exercise 4: Security and Privacy (12 min)

Exercise 5: Risk Management (12 min)

Lesson 4: Building Your Collaborative Question Toolkit

Lesson 5: Validating Collaborative Strategies

Lesson 6: Module 5 Wrap-Up & Next Steps

What You’ve Mastered:
✅ Crafting strategic questions about collaboration and DataShare
✅ Designing secure, efficient multi-centre workflows
✅ Balancing openness with data security and privacy
✅ Proactively managing risks in collaborative environments

Next Module Preview:
Module 6: Protective Questions – Security, Privacy, and Risk Management

Your Assignment:
Prepare a collaboration playbook draft for current or potential RM Compare partners using the question frameworks. Identify questions to clarify and challenges to anticipate.

This module equips you to confidently harness RM Compare collaboration capabilities by asking the right questions—ensuring partnerships thrive securely and effectively.

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