Newsletter Volume 26 Issue 8, Aug 2014

From The Editor

“It is a central question whether the interaction and assimilation process in a population leads to a socially beneficial aggregation of information”

Some new research from various sources is grappling with questions of how social media is being used (and abused.) The research itself has huge potential for social benefit but is also open to misuse. This has implications not only for social welfare and productivity but more broadly for political and economic outcomes, both good and bad. See below, Fakebook? Social Media and Big Data.

“The Australian Public Service Better Practice Guide to Big Data © Commonwealth of Australia 2014 gives some good advice on big data management… but is the Government  following its own advice?”

This quote is from an article which discusses the impact of recent changes in the Federal Government Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer roles, as a background to some of the good advice on Big Data which is publicly available on the Department of Finance website. While the Australian Public Service Big Data Strategy, © Commonwealth of Australia 2013 and the Better Practice Guide were written with the Australian Public Service in mind, the advice is relevant for any organisation, large or small, which is considering tapping into the “practical business opportunities that big data analysis presents including the optimisation of operations, the delivery of better, more informed decision making tools, the management and mitigation of financial and other risks, and the development of new business models all of which will lead to an increase in productivity and innovation.” The article gives an overview of the basic considerations, together with references and links to further resources. See below, Big Data – Mixed Messages from Government

“The displacement of in-person social interaction by screen interaction seems to be reducing social skills.”.

On a lighter note is an article, based on a range of new research,  about the growing risk of losing our emotions and the workarounds that may be available when that happens, see below, Losing Your Emotions? No Problem, There’ll Be An App For That.

“Vive La Difference!!”

An Aug 12 2014 LinkedIn article by Melinda Nield, leader of the PMI Sydney Women in Project Management (WiPM) Portfolio, explains exactly why we need more WiPM, proving her point with a link to a recently published White Paper and examples of some Australian top organisations who are heading in this direction with great success – Not to mention a killer image, see below Great Teams need Great Minds.

Also, check out the invitation below to participate in a new Subcommittee on IT-enabled services Business Process Outsourcing Standards.

Current Issue

Articles in the current Issue cover:

Fakebook? Social Media and Big Data

“One main future challenge is the study of information assimilation and evolution of public opinions when multiple inputs are considered.”

Big Data – Mixed Messages from Government

“despite lack of clarity and the lack of funding, there is still progress from which we can all benefit”

Losing Your Emotions? There’ll Be An App For That

“ different research studies show that our emotions are at risk but that there are workarounds.” 

Great Teams need Great Minds

“The benefits of a team with diverse mind sets can be the best thing any organisation can get its hands on.”

Ted Smillie

QESP Chairman

Invitation to participate in IT-enabled services Business Process Outsourcing standards development
By Melanie Cheong

Users, providers and auditors of IT-enabled services BPO are invited to attend the launch on 8 September, 1pm-3pm.

The newly formed subcommittee IT-030-7 will meet at Standards Australia and by webex. Background will be provided to prepare interested members in developing (or future use of) the new standards series.

Please RSVP to Melanie Cheong (mcheong168@gmail.com) by 5 September to confirm whether you will be attending the meeting in Sydney – or by webex .

An agenda and further details will be provided closer to the time.

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http://au.linkedin.com/in/melanietcheong

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QESP Committee, www.qesp.org