Making Products That Matter: How Value-driven Development Accelerates Your Teams

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Kwakernaak
Keyword(s):  
End Users ◽  
Agile Development ◽  
End User ◽  
Step Process ◽  
A Value ◽  
Development Teams ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Blind Spots ◽  
Early Indicators

An increasing number of businesses are seeking new Agile ways to deliver valuable products to their customers. However, many companies that adopt Agile principles soon experience early indicators of struggle, such as starting development before the value to the end user is fully understood or delivering products that are not done. These problems limit the ability of organizations to create value for both their end users and the company. The purpose of this article is to share our experience as practitioners on a range of Agile development practices from a value-driven perspective. Common blind spots are highlighted and the value-driven principles that enable development teams to sustainably create value are explained. Our experimentation with various improvement approaches has provided insight into value-driven principles and the framework that interconnects these principles. This article describes the value-driven framework (VDF) as a methodology developed by practitioners for businesses that struggle to enable their workforce to increase the value of their products. The VDF provides an approach to overcome these struggles in a four-step process: (1) explore to find opportunity, (2) discover the most valuable next step, (3) experiment to try-out and learn, and (4) value will emerge as a sustainable user benefit.

scholarly journals The impact of end-userś participation (cancer patients) during the optimization process

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Houwaart
Keyword(s):  
End Users ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Optimization Process ◽  
Patient Organization ◽  
End User ◽  
The Public ◽  
Patient Organizations ◽  
Crucial Information ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Abstract End-user (e.g. patients or the public) testing of information material is becoming more common in the German public health care system. However, including the end-user (in this case patients) in an optimisation process and thus enabling a close collaboration while developing PIMs is still rare. This is surprising, given the fact that patients provide the exact perspective one is trying to address. Within the isPO project, a patient organization is included as a legal project partner to act as the patient representative and provide the patient's perspective. As such, the patient organization was included in the PHR approach as part of the PIM-optimisation team. During the optimisation process, the patients gave practical insights into the procedures of diagnosing and treating different types of cancer as well as into the patient's changing priorities and challenges at different time points. This was crucial information for the envisioned application of the individual PIMs and their hierarchical overview. Moreover, the developed PIM-checklist enabled the patients to give detailed feedback to the PIMs. With their experience of being in the exact situation in which the PIMs will be applied, their recommendations, especially on the wording and layout of the materials, have been a valuable contribution to the PIM optimisation process. In this part of the seminar, we will take a closer look at the following skill building aspects: What is gained from including patients as end-users in the development and optimization of PIM?How can we reach patients to contribute to a PIM optimization process? Which requirements and prerequisites do patients have to provide to successfully work on an optimisation team?How to compromise and weigh opinions when different ideas occur? Altogether, this part will construct a structured path of productive patient involvement and help to overcome uncertainties regarding a collaboration with patient organizations.

Managing User-Centered Design Activities in Distributed Agile Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Alyahya ◽  
Ohoud Almughram
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Design ◽  
Agile Development ◽  
Design Teams ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Development Teams ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
User Centered

Abstract The integration of user-centered design (UCD) activities into agile information systems development has become more popular recently. Despite the fact that there are many ways the merging of UCD activities into agile development can be carried out, it has been widely recognized that coordinating design activities with development activities is one of the most common problems, especially in distributed environments where designers, developers and users are spread over several sites. The main approach to coordinate UCD activities with distributed agile development is the use of informal methods (e.g. communication through using video conference tools). In addition to the temporal, geographical and socio-cultural barriers associated with this type of methods, a major limitation is a lack of awareness of how UCD activities and development activities affect each other. Furthermore, some agile project management tools are integrated with design platforms but fail to provide the necessary coordination that helps team members understand how the design and development activities affect their daily work. This research aims to support the effective management of integrating UCD activities into distributed agile development by (i) identifying the key activity dependencies between UX design teams and development teams during distributed UCD/agile development and (ii) designing a computer-based system to provide coordination support through managing these activity dependencies. In order to achieve these objectives, two case studies are carried out. Our findings revealed 10 main dependencies between UCD design teams and development teams as shown by six types of activity. In addition, the participatory design approach shows that developing a computer-based system to manage seven of these selected dependencies is achievable.

scholarly journals Modelling End-User Behavior and Behavioral Change in Smart Grids. An Application of the Model of Frame Selection

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6674
Author(s):  
Sebastian Hoffmann ◽  
Fabian Adelt ◽  
Johannes Weyer
Keyword(s):  
Smart Grids ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
End Users ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
System Stability ◽  
End User ◽  
Frame Selection ◽  
Model Of Frame Selection ◽  
Modes Of Governance ◽  
Strong Control

This paper presents an agent-based model (ABM) for residential end-users, which is part of a larger, interdisciplinary co-simulation framework that helps to investigate the performance of future power distribution grids (i.e., smart grid scenarios). Different modes of governance (strong, soft and self-organization) as well as end-users’ heterogeneous behavior represent key influential factors. Feedback was implemented as a measure to foster grid-beneficial behavior, which encompasses a range of monetary and non-monetary incentives (e.g., via social comparison). The model of frame selection (MFS) serves as theoretical background for modelling end-users’ decision-making. Additionally, we conducted an online survey to ground the end-user sub-model on empirical data. Despite these empirical and theoretical foundations, the model presented should be viewed as a conceptual framework, which requires further data collection. Using an example scenario, representing a lowly populated residential area (167 households) with a high share of photovoltaic systems (30%), different modes of governance were compared with regard to their suitability for improving system stability (measured in cumulated load). Both soft and strong control were able to decrease overall fluctuations as well as the mean cumulated load (by approx. 10%, based on weekly observation). However, we argue that soft control could be sufficient and more societally desirable.

How to foster employee satisfaction by means of coaching, motivation, emotional salary and social media skills in the agri-food value chain

New Medit ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Employee Satisfaction ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Business Skills ◽  
A Value ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Food Value ◽  
Insight Into

Most employee satisfaction studies do not consider the current digital transformation of the social world. The aim of this research is to provide insight into employee satisfaction in agribusiness by means of coaching, motivation, emotional salary and social media with a value chain methodology. The model is tested empirically by analysing a survey data set of 381 observations in Spanish agribusiness firms of the agri-food value chain. The results show flexible remunerations of emotional salary are determinants of employee satisfaction. Additionally, motivation is relevant in the production within commercialisation link and coaching in the production within transformation link. Whole-of-chain employees showed the greatest satisfaction with the use of social media in personnel management. Findings also confirmed that employees will stay when a job is satisfying. This study contributes to the literature by investigating the effect of current social and digital business skills on employee satisfaction in the agri-food value chain.

SECURITY IN CLOUD COMPUTING IN INDIAN GOVERNMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Vishnu Choudhari ◽  
Dr. Ashish B Sasankar
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Cloud Service ◽  
Cloud Security ◽  
End Users ◽  
Security Architecture ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
End User ◽  
Cloud Service Providers

Abstract –Today Security issue is the topmost problem in the cloud computing environment. It leads to serious discomfort to the Governance and end-users. Numerous security solutions and policies are available however practically ineffective in use. Most of the security solutions are centered towards cloud technology and cloud service providers only and no consideration has been given to the Network, accessing, and device securities at the end-user level. The discomfort at the end-user level was left untreated. The security of the various public, private networks, variety of devices used by end-users, accessibility, and capacity of end-users is left untreated. This leads towards the strong need for the possible modification of the security architecture for data security at all levels and secured service delivery. This leads towards the strong need for the possible adaption of modified security measures and provisions, which shall provide secured hosting and service delivery at all levels and reduce the security gap between the cloud service providers and end-users. This paper investigates the study and analyze the security architecture in the Cloud environment of Govt. of India and suggest the modifications in the security architecture as per the changing scenario and to fulfill the future needs for the secured service delivery from central up to the end-user level. Keywords: Cloud Security, Security in GI Cloud, Cloud Security measures, Security Assessment in GI Cloud, Proposed Security for GI cloud

Ten conversations about identity preservation

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Goldsmith ◽  
Karen Bender
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Life Science ◽  
Food System ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
End Users ◽  
End User ◽  
Organizational Models ◽  
Identity Preservation ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
Current Risk

Dynamics in the global food system, along with a cascade of technologies, drive demands for capturing information and sharing information vertically within the supply chain. Food safety, genetic engineering, and animal welfare all have contributed to the need for enhanced information flow within the supply chain. Identity preservation in grains and oilseeds is an emerging issue that may influence the structure of agriculture in the longer term. This research addresses the following questions. While demand for high-information grains appears to be growing, where and how along the supply chain is the value created and captured? Though it appears that the economy demands ever-increasing amounts of differentiation, why do opportunities for producers and life science companies to create and capture significant new sources of value remain elusive? To answer these questions needs assessments were conducted with grain procurement executives. Their responses reveal the "buyer's calculus" where buyers balance investment in specific relationship assets with the market uplift or risk mitigation return it generates. Buying from a competitively structured industry has numerous benefits. There is a "cost" or tradeoff leaving the spot market procurement model in favor of a relationship-based model; hence the calculus. The current equilibrium state reflects the current risk-adjusted value proposition suppliers deliver to end users. Though end-user benefits are on the horizon with the next generation of biotechnologies, their emergence is insufficient to guarantee farmers and life science greater returns. End users will always balance the risk mitigation and market uplift features of a supply offering with the risks of narrowing their supply base. To drive value up the chain, suppliers need to shift away from focusing solely on the products of the future and focus on the technologies, delivery systems, and organizational models that, when bundled with new products solve problems and make end users more competitive.

scholarly journals A Mobile Health Intervention for HIV Prevention Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Young Men: Usability Evaluation (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwayoung Cho ◽  
Dakota Powell ◽  
Adrienne Pichon ◽  
Jennie Thai ◽  
Josh Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Young Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
End Users ◽  
End User ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Usability Problem ◽  
Prevention Curriculum

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) apps have the potential to be a useful mode of delivering HIV prevention information, particularly for young men (13-24 years) who account for 21% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. We translated an existing evidence-based, face-to-face HIV prevention curriculum into a portable platform and developed a mobile Web app: MyPEEPS Mobile. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the usability of MyPEEPS Mobile from both expert and end user perspectives. METHODS We conducted a heuristic evaluation with five experts in informatics to identify violations of usability principles and end user usability testing with 20 young men aged 15 to 18 years in New York, NY, Birmingham, AL, and Chicago, IL to identify potential obstacles to their use of the app. RESULTS Mean scores of the overall severity of the identified heuristic violations rated by experts ranged from 0.4 and 2.6 (0=no usability problem to 4=usability catastrophe). Overall, our end users successfully completed the tasks associated with use case scenarios and provided comments/recommendations on improving usability of MyPEEPS Mobile. The mean of the overall Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire scores rated by the end users was 1.63 (SD 0.65), reflecting strong user acceptance of the app. CONCLUSIONS The comments made by experts and end users will be used to refine MyPEEPS Mobile prior to a pilot study assessing the acceptability of the app across diverse sexual minority young men in their everyday lives.

scholarly journals Commute as Ritual: Wellington Harbour Ferry Terminal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Andrew R. Mitchener
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Modern World ◽  
End User ◽  
A Value ◽  
Infrastructure Design ◽  
And Function ◽  
Block Sizes

<p>Transport infrastructure is the template upon which we build our inhabitations. Decisions regarding street arrangements, block sizes, and larger scale infrastructure design for example have an enduring and profound affect on the quality of our spatial environments. The conceptual framework we apply when generating and subsequently manipulating this template sets the parameters by which it is judged. By convention, transport infrastructure is considered a purely technical undertaking, within which designers rarely play any meaningful part. The spaces of mobility are thus from their very genesis conceived as instrumental in nature, judged as mere conduits whose function is to join meaningful places such as work and home, fulfilling an economic imperative. Recent research has shown however that affective, symbolic factors play a greater role than instrumental considerations in modal choice of commuters, suggesting that, to the end user at least, transport possesses a value beyond simple utility. Indeed, mobility itself is often cited as a defining characteristic of the modern world, implying a highly symbolic status. This gap between the instrumental conceptual framework we apply to transport infrastructure and the symbolically loaded experience of mobility is an opportunity for design to enrich the experience of users, framed in this research as commuters. Through investigation of the commute as a quotidian, secular ritual greater consideration is given to extra-economic value in the spaces of transport infrastructure. This research analyses the nature and function of ritual in contemporary secular life and argues for the applicability of a ritual framework for understanding value in transport infrastructure. The spatial implications of ritual (defined as symbol + action  and exhibiting the key sociocultural functions of mnemonic and liminality) are explored through the design of a harbour ferry terminal for Wellington.</p>

scholarly journals Tangible Lighting Controls

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Amardeep Mohanlal Dugar
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
End Users ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Essential Difference ◽  
End User ◽  
Lighting Control ◽  
Control Functions ◽  
New Framework

<p>'Tangible lighting controls' is used as an umbrella term to describe lighting control systems that are easy to understand and pleasurable to use by end-users. The crucial question posed is, what is the nature of interface designs sought by end-users for maximising interaction with lighting control systems? The manner in which this question is posed implies a fundamental assumption that improved usability and end-user experience are the primary goals. The concept of end-user understanding of lighting control interfaces is proposed as a basis for improving the usability and end-user experience of lighting control interfaces. Usability engineering methods involving survey research, experimental mock-ups and prototyping have been used to enable end-users to design and evaluate lighting control interfaces. The essential difference is to include end-users' point of view about ease of understanding control functions and pleasure of performing control tasks along with a technical point of view about meeting required standards. Manufacturers' claims about the effectiveness of existing lighting control interfaces are challenged, and an entirely different way of thinking about interface design is revealed. Such a change of thinking may be seen as a new framework for improved designs of lighting control interfaces as well as evaluation of their usability and end-user experience.</p>

scholarly journals On the Transformation of Traditional IS Service Department into a Modern IS Center: A Case Study

10.28945/2415 ◽  
2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kresimir Fertalj ◽  
Damir Kalpic
Keyword(s):  
End User ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Consulting Services ◽  
Educational Framework ◽  
Development Teams ◽  
Training Plan ◽  
Initial Strategy ◽  
Information Center ◽  
Service Department

Some issues related to the transformation of a traditional IS service department into a modern team-based information center are discussed. The process of transformation comprises human resources analysis, investigation of possible ways of transformation, proposal of a new organization and constitution of development teams (DTs). New organization is based on DTs with flexible structure, which ensures a successful transformation. Education during transformation must be adjusted to the customer and can include different approaches such as on-the-job education, full curriculum and the short-term training plan, consulting services, end-user education and so forth. An educational framework should propose the standards to be followed and possible adjustments of those standards, which would make the education successful. A study done for a large state-owned Croatian company, carried out in practice as part of the initial strategy plan, will be presented and used as an example.

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