Newsletter Volume 28 Issue 2, Feb 2016
From The Editor
“ The study found that in many companies, the time spent in meetings, on the phone and answering emails takes up to 80% of employees’ time..” The above quote is from a February 18, 2016 article in The Conversation, which questions the focus on open workplaces to achieve collaboration. The article triggered an interesting range of readers’ comments See below, Collaboration: Too much of a good thing.
Our January 2016 issue asked the question, The Australian Public Service: Mad World or Agile Transformation? Again in February 2016 the APS is in the news, this time due to a dispute over some recently published reports. As one participant remarked, Expectedly, there has been an outpouring of horrified comments in response to Shergold’s manifesto.” See below, The Australian Public Service Debate.
A February 16, 2016 ScienceDaily report describes how researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Australian National University have developed a planning algorithm that also generates contingency plans, should the initial plan prove too risky.“A researcher trying to develop a data-gathering plan for a multimillion-dollar underwater robot, for example, might be satisfied with a 90 percent probability that the robot will take all the sensor readings it’s supposed to — but they might want a 99.9 percent probability that the robot won’t collide with a rock face at high speed.” See below, Planning algorithm also generates contingency plans
“For CIOs and IT organizations that are required to build Private Cloud Computing services, due to security, compliance or legacy-integration issues, it is critical to be setting the bar higher in the services that are delivered to the business.” Many CEOs and CIOs are now facing the “Digital Transformation” challenge of integrating Cloud, Mobility, Big Data Analytics and Social Media implementations to meet customer and market expectations. However, some recent reports are sending warning messages about digital transformation. See below, How Not To Go Digital.
Current Issue
Articles in the current Issue cover:
Collaboration: Too much of a good thing
“a study of 42,000 employees showed there was little solid evidence that open layouts improved interaction”
The Australian Public Service Debate
“Innovation is not about counting people in silos.”
Planning algorithm also generates contingency plans.
“Such heuristics offer hope that the researchers’ planning system could update plans on the fly, in light of new information, as well as generating contingency plans in advance.”
How Not To Go Digital
“Although most retailers say they are confident in their approach to digitalization, the vast majority admit that their digital transformation projects are ‘a gamble,’ and have no unifying strategy in place.”
Events
ACS, PMI, QESP after-hours networking event 7th April
A joint ACS, PMI, QESP after-hours networking event will be held at the Menzies Hotel, Sydney Room on 7th April. The event will feature a presentation from 6 to 7pm, followed by drinks, finger food and social networking from 7 to 8.
ACS and PMI Members can earn 2 PDU’s or CP Hours
The presentation will review the practical considerations for C-suite management and for ICT staff now facing the “Digital Transformation” challenge of integrating Cloud, Mobility, Big Data Analytics and Social Media implementations to meet customer and market expectations.
Event Prices (Inc GST)
Non Members: $40
ACS, PMI and QESP members $20
Students or seniors $20.
A 20% early bird discount applies for payment before 18th March. For cancellations up to 31st March, the amount paid will be returned less 20%. No refunds will be made after 31st March.
Tickets are purchased through Eventbrite. Please follow the link below to purchase your ticket.
Quotes
Quote of the Day
“ First, solve the problem. Then, write the code. ” – John Johnson
Quote from Yesteryear
“There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method.” – H. Melville, Moby Dick, Chapter LXXXII
Ted Smillie
QESP Chairman