Learning in an Agile Setting: A Multilevel Study on the Evolution of Organizational Routines

Recognizing a serious lack of research on routinized individual actions and organizational adaptation in the stability-change paradox, we intend to provide an in-depth explanation of the way in which agile methods affect organizational learning in self-managed, team-based organizations, taking a multi-level evolutionary approach. We explore learning in agile organizations by breaking the analysis of organizational routines down into different levels \u2013 individual, team and organization \u2013 and describing the process of variation, selection and retention of routines at each level. Leveraging on multiple case studies, we discuss how team members learn and gain knowledge, from both direct and indirect experience, and analyze how teams develop conceptual frameworks and interpret those experiences. Finally, we discuss how organizational memory develops and how teams in agile organizations adapt simultaneously within an ecological structure that also comprises the changing environment. Our findings reveal substantial flaws in the capacity of agile methods to foster organizational learning

Use of an agile bridge in the development of assistive technology

Engaging with end users in the development of assistive technologies remains one of the major challenges for researchers and developers in the field of accessibility and HCI. Developing usable software systems for people with complex disabilities is problematic, software developers are wary of using user-centred design, one of the main methods by which usability can be improved, due to concerns about how best to work with adults with complex disabilities, in particular Severe Speech and Physical Impairments (SSPI) and how to involve them in research. This paper reports on how the adoption of an adapted agile approach involving the incorporation of a user advocate on the research team helped in meeting this challenge in one software project and offers suggestions for how this could be used by other development teams

Project Management in Engineering Education: Providing Generation Z With Transferable Skills

Expository approaches in project management education do not seem to be engaging engineering students. Although the students acquire remarkable theoretical knowledge throughout their coursework, they lack transferable competences, such as soft skills, which are scarcely attended in the teaching of project management. Generation Z's characteristics differ from previous generations and should be considered in new project management education approaches and methods. This article reviews the project management competencies, Generation Z profile, and teaching methods trends reported in the literature. It presents a study involving 147 engineering students, through a self-report questionnaire, to explore their profile's self-awareness and compare it with the literature. A correlational study links the Generation Z's personality traits with project management soft skills. Findings reveal interesting personality characteristics of Generation Z engineering students for the project management field. However, this sample showed low recognition of their individualism, less personal relationships, and did not value their creative potential. There were also differences in Electronic, Electrical, and Computer Science engineering students, namely, lower emotional intelligence. Some highlighted traits have a significant effect on critical project management soft skills. Other soft skills were not supported in personality traits. This work suggests implications for re-think educational approaches to Generation Z engineering students.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Authentic Assessments: Preparing Undergraduate Computing Students for a New Future of Remote Internships

It is accepted practice now in higher education in Ireland that assessments should be designed to assess the learning outcomes of a module and the skills needed for professional practice. Due to the current demands and challenges of remote working, employers are looking for a new set of employability skills where graduates can work autonomously and network remotely. Authentic assessments are an opportunity to produce ‘remote work ready’ graduates for this new working environment. However, authentic assessments can be decontextualised if they are designed without considering both academic outcomes and industry/real-world activities. The following practitioner case study reviews the research literature on authentic assessments. An authentic assessment framework design is outlined to bridge the gap between learning and teaching outcomes and industry expectations. This paper describes the redesign of an assessment practice at TU Dublin following a proposed authentic assessment framework design model. It discusses how the proposed model can help practitioners design authentic assessments to enable computing students to develop and articulate their transversal skills, while preparing them for a future of remote working. Recommendations from this case study can inform and shape the current TU Dublin assessment culture and the IMPACT Community of Practice as a sustainable, authentic assessment practice

The Implication of Agile & Traditional Method as a Practice in Pharmaceutical Industry

Traditional Project Management theory followed by Pharmaceutical industry since decades needs to be revitalized with implication of some modern ideas and techniques. Macro economy parameters such as government rules, regulation and economic stability is been changing the outset of the industry from time to time. Project Management approach followed by pharmaceutical industry needs to be revitalize, more adaptive and more agile to counter fit the changing needs. Effective pharmaceutical project management enables new medical discoveries to reach us sooner and, perhaps, at less cost. To that extent, researchers and practitioners of project management art and science influence the treatment of disease and maintenance of health worldwide. Their process, therefore, deserves our close attention