Collecting sensor-generated data for assessing teamwork and individual contributions in computing student teams

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, the authors describe a series of experiments that have been conducted in a dedicated smart-spaces laboratory, aiming to combine the use of several sensors in collecting student data. Second, the paper shares key findings from the use of sensor-generated data as an instrument for assessing individual contributions as well as team performance. The early sections of the paper describe the setting of a smart-space laboratory and how it was used for two scenarios; on one hand student teams were monitored during a coordination meeting involving decision making, while on the other hand students were observed during a team presentation. The discussion explains how sensors were used to monitor emotions (using facial image processing), stress (using galvanic skin response) and participation (based on the use of Kinnect). The key contribution is in the form of the experiment setting that can be replicated with students from different educational backgrounds but also in scenarios involving practitioners from different disciplines. The authors discuss the drivers for organizing this type of experiment and explain the reasoning behind the use of certain sensors and the value of collecting specific data sets. The later part of the paper describes how the analysis of collected data has produced visualizations of patterns that can be used in education for assessing student contribution, emotions and stress levels. Similar approaches could be used for project management where student teams are replaced by software engineering teams in agile development scenarios (e.g. scrum stand-up meetings)

Understanding collaboration in Global Software Engineering (GSE) teams with the use of sensors: introducing a multi-sensor setting for observing social and human aspects in project management

This paper discusses on-going research in the ways Global Software Engineering (GSE) teams collaborate for a range of software development tasks. The paper focuses on providing the means for observing and understanding GSE team member collaboration including team coordination and member communication. Initially the paper provides the background on social and human issues relating to GSE collaboration. Next the paper describes a pilot study involving a simulation of virtual GSE teams working together with the use of asynchronous and synchronous communication over a virtual learning environment. The study considered the use of multiple data collection techniques recordings of SCRUM meetings, design and implementation tasks. Next, the paper discusses the use of a multi-sensor for observing human and social aspects of project management in GSE teams. The scope of the study is to provide the means for gathering data regarding GSE team coordination for project managers including member emotions, participation pattern in team discussions and potentially stress levels

A discussion on the Role of People in Global Software Development.

Literature is producing a considerable amount of papers which focus on the risks, challenges and solutions of global software development (GSD). However, the influence of human factors on the success of GSD projects requires further study. The aim of our paper is twofold. First, to identify the challenges related to the human factors in GSD and, second, to propose the solution(s), which could help in solving or reducing the overall impact of these challenges. The main conclusions of this research can be valuable to organizations that are willing to achieve the quality objectives regarding GSD projects

Understanding collaboration in Global Software Engineering (GSE) teams with the use of sensors: introducing a multi-sensor setting for observing social and human aspects in project management

This paper discusses on-going research in the ways Global Software Engineering (GSE) teams collaborate for a range of software development tasks. The paper focuses on providing the means for observing and understanding GSE team member collaboration including team coordination and member communication. Initially the paper provides the background on social and human issues relating to GSE collaboration. Next the paper describes a pilot study involving a simulation of virtual GSE teams working together with the use of asynchronous and synchronous communication over a virtual learning environment. The study considered the use of multiple data collection techniques recordings of SCRUM meetings, design and implementation tasks. Next, the paper discusses the use of a multi-sensor for observing human and social aspects of project management in GSE teams. The scope of the study is to provide the means for gathering data regarding GSE team coordination for project managers including member emotions, participation pattern in team discussions and potentially stress levels

Global Software Development: Challen ges and Opportunities in Nigeria

To God be all the glory. I am grateful to our Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo and the Management Team of this University led by our amiable VC, Professor C. K. Ayo for allowing me to deliver this public lecture today. Today‘s lecture investigates the possibilities of sub-Saharan Africa as a sourcing destination in the software field. To find out the reasons why sub-Saharan African countries in general and Nigeria in particular are not considered a destination for global software development projects. In the study that led to this lecture, a set of professionals from Europe and Africa were interviewed. Results indicate that there are many disadvantages and difficulties impeding Nigeria from becoming a preferred sourcing destination. The main ones are the absence of a strong software industry and the concerns about legislative, fiscal and commercial premises. On the other hand, it is observed that there are also relevant added values and competitive advantages in Nigeria (English-speaking country, same time zone and cost) and, therefore, it can become a potential target for software development outsourcing in the medium and long term

Collecting sensor-generated data for assessing teamwork and individual contributions in computing student teams

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, the authors describe a series of experiments that have been conducted in a dedicated smart-spaces laboratory, aiming to combine the use of several sensors in collecting student data. Second, the paper shares key findings from the use of sensor-generated data as an instrument for assessing individual contributions as well as team performance. The early sections of the paper describe the setting of a smart-space laboratory and how it was used for two scenarios; on one hand student teams were monitored during a coordination meeting involving decision making, while on the other hand students were observed during a team presentation. The discussion explains how sensors were used to monitor emotions (using facial image processing), stress (using galvanic skin response) and participation (based on the use of Kinnect). The key contribution is in the form of the experiment setting that can be replicated with students from different educational backgrounds but also in scenarios involving practitioners from different disciplines. The authors discuss the drivers for organizing this type of experiment and explain the reasoning behind the use of certain sensors and the value of collecting specific data sets. The later part of the paper describes how the analysis of collected data has produced visualizations of patterns that can be used in education for assessing student contribution, emotions and stress levels. Similar approaches could be used for project management where student teams are replaced by software engineering teams in agile development scenarios (e.g. scrum stand-up meetings)

A DISCUSSION ON THE ROLE OF PEOPLE IN GLOBAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Preliminary notes Literature is producing a considerable amount of papers which focus on the risks, challenges and solutions of global software development (GSD). However, the influence of human factors on the success of GSD projects requires further study. The aim of our paper is twofold. First, to identify the challenges related to the human factors in GSD and, second, to propose the solution(s), which could help in solving or reducing the overall impact of these challenges. The main conclusions of this research can be valuable to organizations that are willing to achieve the quality objectives regarding GSD projects. Keywords: global software development, people management, software industry, People CMM Rasprava o ulozi ljudi u globalnom razvoju softvera Prethodno priopćenje U literaturi se može naći priličan broj radova koji se bave rizicima, izazovima i rješenjima za globalni razvoj softvera (GSD). Međutim, utjecaj ljudskog faktora na uspjeh projekata o globalnom razvoju softvera zahtijeva dodatno istraživanje. Ovaj rad ima dvojak cilj. Prvo, identificirati izazove povezane s ljudskim faktorima u GSD i, drugo, predložiti rješenje (rješenja) koje bi moglo pomoći u rješavanju ili reduciranju cjelokupnog djelovanja tih izazova. Glavni zaključci ovog istraživanja mogli bi biti važni organizacijama koje žele postići kvalitetne rezultate projekata koji se bave globalnim razvojem softvera. Ključne riječi: globalni razvoj softvera, upravljanje ljudima, softverska industrija, People CMM (People Capability Maturity Model -Model osposobljavanja ljudi

A discussion on the role of people in global software development

U literaturi se može naći priličan broj radova koji se bave rizicima, izazovima i rješenjima za globalni razvoj softvera (GSD). Međutim, utjecaj ljudskog faktora na uspjeh projekata o globalnom razvoju softvera zahtijeva dodatno istraživanje. Ovaj rad ima dvojak cilj. Prvo, identificirati izazove povezane s ljudskim faktorima u GSD i, drugo, predložiti rješenje (rješenja) koje bi moglo pomoći u rješavanju ili reduciranju cjelokupnog djelovanja tih izazova. Glavni zaključci ovog istraživanja mogli bi biti važni organizacijama koje žele postići kvalitetne rezultate projekata koji se bave globalnim razvojem softvera.Literature is producing a considerable amount of papers which focus on the risks, challenges and solutions of global software development (GSD). However, the influence of human factors on the success of GSD projects requires further study. The aim of our paper is twofold. First, to identify the challenges related to the human factors in GSD and, second, to propose the solution(s), which could help in solving or reducing the overall impact of these challenges. The main conclusions of this research can be valuable to organizations that are willing to achieve the quality objectives regarding GSD projects

Invoking team trust to facilitate performance management in the context of virtual teams

Manuscript initially submitted in partial fulfilment of requirement to qualify for a Master’s degree "Driving performance from a distance : exploring performance management in the context of virtual teams" by Moosa, Lutfiyya at GIBS. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/80481)DATA AVAILABILITY : The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, M.M., upon reasonable request.PURPOSE : Recent years have seen an upsurge in virtual working arrangements. However, many managers find it difficult to manage and motivate employees in the absence of face-to-face contact. Traditional, structured performance management approaches therefore need to give way to more holistic and technology-enabled approaches that are better suited to virtual work. This study set out to investigate how managers optimise the performance of virtual teams, with specific reference to the role of trust, both within and across teams. While there is growing interest in the role of trust as a driver of virtual team performance, there is insufficient convergence between the respective literatures on virtual teams, team trust and performance management, leaving a research gap. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 middle and top managers of virtual teams who worked in large companies in South Africa. The collected data were then subject to thematic analysis. FINDINGS/RESULTS : These included: Virtual work can lead to a work–life imbalance; a lack of human contact can strain interpersonal relationships and erode trust; and optimal performance management in a virtual context depends on a trusting environment, clear and realistic goals, ‘agile management practices’ (including coaching and frequent feedback) and appropriate technologies. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS : The study provides new insights into the challenges faced by middle managers in creating trusting and performance-geared relationships with virtual team members. Originality/Value : The study expands on the existing team dynamics literature while also providing a convenient conceptual framework to guide future studies on the drivers of virtual team trust and optimal performance management.http://www.sajesbm.co.zaam2024Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)SDG-08:Decent work and economic growt

Integration of Virtual Programming Lab in a process of teaching programming EduScrum based

Programming teaching is a key factor for technological evolution. The efficient way to learn to program is by programming and hard training and thus feedback is a crucial factor in the success and flow of the process. This work aims to analyse the potential use of VPL in the teaching process of programming in higher education. It also intends to verify whether, with VPL, it is possible to make students learning more effective and autonomous, with a reduction in the volume of assessment work by teachers. Experiments were carried out with the VPL, in the practical-laboratory classes of a curricular unit of initiation to programming in a higher education institution. The results supported by the responses to surveys, point to the validity of the model