Agile Methodology, Developing Information Systems - Assignment Example

Reflective Diary Part 2 Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Reflection Entry 1 Agile methodology is a project management method that is people oriented, adaptive to change and is based on iteration (Lehmann, 2012). This methodology is commonly used in software development because it supports development teams and welcomes change in a rigid work environment. I learned that agile development applies to processes that are adaptive and thrive on change to a point where software developers are forced to change themselves. Before, I did not know that the aspect of reliability is critical in agile methodology especially in debugging. Now, I know that newly developed software has about 25 percent bugs but upon fixing, new bugs emerge. I also understand that it is not advisable to wait until the end of the project to debug. I think the reason for successful quality output and reliability in online games is the use of test accounts such as Blizzard for games such as Heroes of Storm, Word of Warcraft, and Diablo. Designers working with a team of system developers have increased performance and efficiency, product features meets requirements, improved quality of the product and reduced chances debugging process introducing new bugs. I think agile methods are suitable in areas that experiences miscommunication and time lag in debugging. I learned that scrum method is advocates for collaborative approaches and lowers costs associated with debugging and miscommunication. I believe project team members are able to deliver required features and iterations if they are efficient. I also learned that agile methodology has been gaining popularity since the year 2000, and is the reason for sustained profitability in IT organizations. However, I noted that agile methodologies such as Extreme Programming and The Scrum focus more on new functionalities that are affected by backlog. I believe that this method needs creative approaches to encourage development of necessary features and components. I think that the projects associated with this methodology should maximize on the use of PERT charts, positive work attitudes, small and well cooperated teams and passion for work. Reflection Entry 2 Developing information systems especially Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has been of great concern to me lately. I happened to interact with the development team, Phoenix Millennium Systems that design and develop a range of business information software. I noted that the team has been producing high quality computing products based on specific skills and competencies. My interest in the project was how they incorporate knowledge and decision making abilities to generate critical products. I found that not only to software developers apply agile methodologies to generate bug-free projects but also involve Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to engender ethical and sustainable decisions in the process (Pfeffer & Sutton, 2006). I learned in the company that team members employ expert skills, critical thinking, intuition and decision support to arrive at best solutions. In management computing resources, I found that its ramifications not only transcend work practices and digital infrastructure but also alters the flow of capital and information around the globe. Interacting with Phoenix Millennium Systems was an eye opener as I found that Information Technology (IT) companies are challenging new positions of governance, security and dependencies with regard to roles and responsibilities of teams. In the company, I learned the essence of building a career in information systems development, cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. I realized that critical thinking and creativity are required in the present day business environment especially on computing and cross-cultural understanding. I learned that teamwork complements the existence of diversity with inclusion in the sense that people working in a software firm need diverse abilities. Since many people working in Phoenix Millennium Systems come from diverse cultural backgrounds, I realized that teams bring together their strengths and benefits. Reflection Entry 3 National Health Service (NHS) was initiated in 2003 to provide efficient and effective delivery of detailed care and summary records in the healthcare sector in the UK. Development and installation of these systems were planned for 7 years but it extended to 10 years. The challenges faced were delay in deployment of the systems to various unit trusts in the region. I learned that after 10 years, the systems began to function in quick, secure and efficient manner to the satisfaction of patients, communities, doctors, nurses and the department of health in the UK. I realized that behind this success were system designers and developers working day and night to ensure that NHS provided distinctive capabilities and competitive advantage. Besides using agile methodologies, the project manager employed a range of business processes such as UML, activity diagrams, IDEF0 functions to develop and implement the project (Tevfik, 2012). However, I now know that in projects, team members are learning continuously. As noted by Kolb (1984) on learning cycles, building concrete experience is possible by reinterpreting existing experiences and taking up the faith of tackling new challenges. I think that NHS is one of the few IT systems that have been deployed to increase functionality and efficiency of public institutions. When I did some research into the NHS, I was humbled by the actions of project team members and the collaboration that came from doctors, nurses, unit trusts, and the deployment team. I learned that projects require change management capabilities and application of resource based view strategies. Lastly, I think that software organizations have a notion of power since they engender systems that make companies have sustained competitive advantage. Reflection Entry 4 Learning is a continuous process of observing and taking lessons based on both positive and negative outcomes. Managing computing resources has been a turning point in my academic life. I learned how to make presentations, generate activity reflections and apply various ideas and concepts. Before, I had limited knowledge on Kolb learning cycle and use of Evidence-Based Practice. I also did not know the existence of IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) until I began researching on aspects such as Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT) and Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) (McLeod, 2010). I found that both are relevant in the field of computing since they incorporate data controls and maximizes on people abilities to use information, tools and process for the betterment of communities and organizations. In the end, I realized that I was able to fulfill some of the course’s objectives of understanding the various management computing concepts, learning theories and application of these concepts in real life. I learned that issues that arose in week 1 especially RMIT attributes such as work-readiness, innovation, growth mindset, and global outlook were being implemented in the company. I think that making progress in managerial and information world is through adopting leadership, learning and innovativeness so as to grow organizations and gain competitive advantage as firms. I think that I am growing fast in knowledge and management circles since my brand software product (GIS) is changing and improving even in future. Reflection Entry 5 The presentation style on agile methodologies I made gave me the audacity and planning expertise. Earlier, I was shy and incoherent in making a presentation to many audiences. Later, after seeing my peers present and doing it myself, I realized that my fears were founded on fear and ignorance. I made insight studies and extensive research into agile methodologies especially Scrum and Extreme programming and found that they meet the requirements of management computing. When I was presenting, I found that my peers were attentive and asking questions on some areas of interest. I made the presentation to be interactive and in the end I found that I am a good presenter. I think I needed to improve the aspect of writing key points using bullets and maximizing the space provided in MS PowerPoint. I have learned of the Kolb learning model and how it is beneficial in knowing ones position in the learning cycle. I realized that I was in the concrete experience stage and making adequate progress in understanding the areas of study. My peers have also learned the need for collaboration and cooperation in management computing resources. I think that understanding business information systems was one way of getting integrated into the project management, information technology, and business entrepreneurship. Currently and in future, I need to work on developing positive attitudes towards teams and groups as well as developing a great passion for work. Reflection Entry 6 One of the projects that I have been engaged with lately is learning C++ programming. I have been interested for a while in understanding linear programming and how systems use in making business decisions. I realize that I need to involve skills such as numerical and problem solving skills, collaborate with leading programmers online, and develop a culture of decision making. I came across the five-As; Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply and Assess that helped me fulfill the requirements of become software savvy. I was able to seek knowledge by lacking and acquiring specific literature search skills. Upon gathering sufficient knowledge, I was able to appraise by abilities and competencies then apply them in programming. Later, I assessed the impact of my skills and competencies in developing and utilizing the linear programs developed. Besides, I realized that having the knowledge of software alone is inadequate since I also needed to have a global outlook, understand use of software in decision making and product development. This development reminded me of evolution of thought into the relevance of planning and implementation of IT strategies. I think I have great abilities in people management, adjusting to various cultures and learning new ways of doing things. For example, by learning linear programming methods, I was able to learn on how to develop business process maps and make decisions at a lower level or functional levels. I learned that one has to possess creative and critical knowledge in businesses process before applying them to solve particular problems such as gaining market share, new product development or positioning. Reflection Entry 7 Proper guidance and direction was important in learning management computing resources and project methodologies. I have no words to thank my tutor who has been instrumental in providing guidelines, learning resources, and content. I have learned about agile project methodology, evidence based practice and business process management. My tutor has been instrumental in providing the necessary skills such as literature search, presentation and assessment parameters. First, I had my fears when it came to presentations since I could not stand in front of more than three people and make coherent statements. I learned more on how to use MS PowerPoint presentations and work in groups. I realize that my tutor was quick to point out areas that needed changes and thus, enabled a complete learning cycle. Through reflection exercises, I came across Kolb learning cycle and demonstrations beyond mere reporting. I think working in groups or teams help in understanding the various team formation stages and the strengths that keep them together. I am grateful to my tutor for setting the MBIT objectives and ensuring that the direction headed is driven by course objectives. I realized that management computing resources and project management are complementary disciplines that assist in business development and entrepreneurship. I think I have made sufficient progress in applying concepts such as evidence-based practices and Kolb learning cycles. I am now on a road to discovery since under Kolb learning cycles I found that it includes four stages; concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation (Kolb, 1984). I learned that though learning can begin at any point in the four stages, concrete experience is the experiential learning stage I am closely associated with at the moment. This is because my tutor led me towards a new experience on presentations, understanding software technology and application of agile project methodologies. I noticed that to effectively learn, I needed to progress from one point of the cycle to another. For example, after learning the new experiences, I needed to have an in-depth understanding of any inconsistencies then reflect on the new ideas or modifications. Later, I will need to apply decision making emerging from business processes, software technology and project methodologies in changing our world. References Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (Vol. 1). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Lehmann, C. F. (2012). Strategy and Business Process Management: Techniques for Improving Execution, Adaptability, and Consistency, CRC Press. McLeod, S. A. (2010). Kolb-Learning Styles. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html Pfeffer, J. & Sutton, R. I. (2006). Book Review and Commentary on Evidence-Based Management, Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. Tevfik, K. (2012). Data Intensive Distributed Computing: Challenges and Solutions for Large- scale Information Management: Challenges and Solutions for Large-scale Information Management, IGI Global. Read More