The Hawthorne Effect was first conceptualized after studies conducted in the 1920s and 1930s at Western Electrical Company’s Hawthorne Works in Chicago. Researchers were trying to study ways to improve productivity. In order to carry out these studies, the researchers worked with various groups of employees and implemented various […]
Forming Storming Norming Performing Adjourning In 1965 Dr. Bruce Tuckman published an article titled “Developmental Sequence in Small Groups” where he focused on the interpersonal relationships of the group members and the impact on task activities (Bonebright, 2009). Within that article, Tuckman hypothesized the stages of group development […]
Most people don’t usually enjoy team building activities. You might get them to play along in team building games, and for some teams that may work, but they would rather be elsewhere. These are usually management driven team building activities. Management decides what they are going to do, […]
I often attack the Agile Manifesto. I am not a huge fan of it. It named Agile, but it named processes and theories that existed before the Agile Manifesto existed. There are parts I don’t think aged well, and there are parts that could be clearer. Instead of […]
Recently an article popped up on LinkedIn from Ryan Hoover (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/problems-remote-working-ryan-hoover/), that discussed many of the issues telecommuters or remote workers face. The problems he listed: Loneliness Disconnecting Distractions Watercooler Serendipity Communication Respect Some of them I can agree with and I wrote about my own issues with […]
These are things I have witnessed managers saying or doing either to me or to others during my career. I feel that these things certainly had a negative impact on the motivation of the employee on the receiving end. This is follow up or a Part 2. The […]
If I told you we have found a great solution to help reduce criminal recidivism and it would cost taxpayers nothing, plus save taxpayers money by housing fewer criminals over time; I imagine most of you reading this would be interested in putting this solution into effect. What […]
You have the official rules and processes, then you have what people actually do. Does that sound like your job or your organization? The Legitimate System Vs. The Shadow System Organizations need rules, They need the structure. It won’t survive long if it doesn’t have those. There […]
7… or 8 Types of Muda Waste Many may have learned that there were 7 types of waste in Lean, I am not sure when a lot of the organizations changed to 8, but most that I am aware of added one to reference underutilized staff or skills […]
The 7 Core Concepts of Lean 1. Eliminate Waste Time and resources cost money. Extra time and resources beyond what you require, make things more expensive than they need to be. To maximize the value, you must work to minimize the waste. Improving the efficiency of the process […]
I touched on this idea in an earlier post on virtual meetings (5 Tips for Effective Virtual Meetings), but it really can apply to your whole job. I love being right. I feel vindicated in my role when my answers or opinions prove to be correct. I feel […]
*The following was written by guest blogger Tammy Ziemba What Is DSDM? Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) is an Agile strategy fusing Agile principles with the entire project life-cycle. DSDM rationality foundation is the project arrangement with the key objectives of the association. The point of a DSDM […]
The PAL I was an interesting test and moderately difficult. I was sometimes faced with questions that could easily be a couple of different correct answers. This was my second attempt at this test. My first attempt was shortly after the exam came out and I didn’t prepare or […]
This is meant to be a list of all known existing Agile frameworks and methodologies. Each framework contains a general overview and links to find additional information. Not all Agile frameworks or methodologies are isolated to software development projects. It should be noted that Agile is not […]
What I want to explore here are ideas on how to use Lean Manufacturing to help waste reduction in areas outside of manufacturing. When I worked in manufacturing, everything was about Lean Six Sigma. Outside of manufacturing, that sort of cultural drive to improve doesn’t seem to be […]
