A method and apparatus for collaborative work is provided. One embodiment of a method for facilitating a collaborative task undertaken by a plurality of users, where each of the users uses a networked computing device that displays a user interface including a public panel representing a shared workspace and a private panel representing a personal workspace, includes receiving, by a server, a first request from a user to move a component from the shared workspace to the user's personal workspace The component represents an individual contribution to the collaborative task. The method then renders the component unavailable for use (e.g., moving or editing) by the other users.