A method and collaboration system for determining the usefulness value of different contributions to the creation of a collective work produced by different contributors in a collaborative work platform is described. The value of each contribution is determined according to usefulness indicators that respectively characterize the contribution itself, the specific data that it provides to the collective work, the work thus produced and the contributor, and, according to valuation parameters (set of numeric constants, mathematical functions and algorithms) mutually defined by a manager of the system and the contributors. These usefulness indicators are collected periodically during the development and life of the work, and their variation over time may cause the usefulness value of contributions to vary. The determination of the usefulness value of each contribution is intended to calculate the individual compensation for contributors in the production of the work.