Class: Again, Jennifer has found some great articles. Be sure to read the National Geographic case study entirely. The last link is a bit technical, but may point out some things you are not aware of. I am looking for some quality observations in your comments. Make sure you read and possibly respond to those who commented before you. Your post should be aimed at creating a discussion, not a list of seven posts that are all the same.
The first link (PCMag) was super simple and easy to understand. I liked the do/don't list at the bottom as it would make an excellent quick guide to creating workflow. The idea of screencaps is great to me because I read them quite easily; unless there is too many. The second link (Success Stories | MEI) had great information. The video was neat and definitely showed a great work flow in action. I think it's neat that even huge corporations like Nat Geo uses retreats as a tool to regroup and decide where to change things. The comment about everyone having their own way of doing things got me thinking: how do you make workflow production more sustainable with technology, resources (not to mention personal preferences) always evolving and changing? My answer after leaving it alone for awhile and returning to it was that if workflow has basics to it - then maybe replacement people can follow basics and add their own spins. Any thoughts? And lastly, the Understanding Designer-Developer workflow got a little technical but I understood the roles people take in projects.Due to my lack of background in design - I can't decipher which role I take.
The pcmag link was simple and easy to read. I had never really contemplated keeping track of a workflow process. In retrospect it makes complete sense and it benefits yourself and other colleagues. It means you can adapt quickly if there is a sudden or drastic change in the workplaces's operations. Not only that but keeping a record of work processes can benefit you if ever you were subject to wrongful dismissal. I'm no expert but that is what I've heard. The second link about National Geographic changing its whole workflow process onto a central network instead of paper must have been alarming to some employees at first.However it was actually reassuring to me personally that they needed time to adjust and learn the software and outsource Technology for Publishing to point them in the right direction. In response to Carly I agree that at the end of the day times are constantly changing and so perhaps the best way to adapt is to follow the processes of past workflows and add your own personal take on it. Alternatively you could research the most up to date workflows that people have in their respective job processes outside of your workplace's documents and therefore save you from having to discover quicker or more efficient ways to get through a working process on your own. The Understanding Designer-Developer Workflow article was interesting. I never knew there were so many different workflow patterns. All I can say is that I guess we will find out during the course of the semester what the class workflow will be categorised under. Although I think the fact that we have dropbox has significantly helped the efficiency of our class and will be a key player in the integration of a productive workflow that will help every students work have a positive impact on the final product.
Ben Mack I thought this article was very beneficial to the class because many of us are going to graduate in May and embark on our future careers. If your like me, I have never had a job in an office so knowing what to do when your out of stuff to do will help get me acculmated to a new job/experience. I wish I would of kept a little journal of how to do some of the things I have learned in my classes at WU, so when I need to remember how to do the things I learned for my future employer ill be prepared. THe only thing I didnt like about he article was that, if you give it to the IT department or the person above you to give the other newer employers, I think it would make you feel like your a know it all, because they have their way of doing things and your new, trying to change their system.
I loved the "Get Organized: Document Your Workflow" article! It's a fantastic concept that I hadn't ever considered before. It's one of those ideas that might seem daunting at first, but would be very beneficial in the long run. I might be more drawn to enjoying my "free time" during the early stages of work while it lasts, but this is a much more productive alternative. I think the suggestion of separating it out into several different documents is a GREAT tip. With something like this, it's good to be as organized as possible! It reminds me a little of a project I'm currently working on. I'm creating a Crisis Management Plan for Semester at Sea. Although it isn't exactly the same, the final product will include many (I'm thinking about 20) separate documents with policies and procedures relating to crisis management. The example given in the article reminds me of the "First Action Steps" document I just completed earlier this weekend. I definitely won't be putting all of this work in it and keep it for myself. As the article suggests to do with documented workflow, I hope to send it to the Institute for Shipboard Education offices in Virginia. I've had several conversations with members of their crisis team as I've been working on this. Anyway, I know it's not exactly the same! But it reminded me of that project. I thought the tip to not include clip art was humorous, but true. In this kind of a document it would be kind of unprofessional, although you may think it would make it appear more visually appealing.
I really enjoyed the study on National Geographic. I've always kind of dreamed of working there so it was interesting to read about their process. (I would've never guess that they used to have a typical production workflow of 15 weeks!) I think it would be extremely beneficial for all companies to do this kind of an analysis of their own workflow. I think we often, myself included, get comfortable and used to doing things one way and don't realize that we could potentially save time, energy, and resources by making some changes. The results of the process for National Geographic were amazing! If all knew they could speed up output processes, reduce costs, and improve communication between departments I think more would be willing to re-evaluate their workflow!
Regarding the last article, the fully-integrated workflow is obviously the most desired. However, it also seems the most difficult to achieve. In my own experiences, I think I've seen the jack-of-all-trades and over-the-wall workflow techniques used more frequently. I can't say for certain that I've ever really had a professional fully-integrated workflow experience.
I really appreciated these links, Jennifer. The first link I found to be very beneficial and easily understood little guide in understanding workflow. The second link, success stories from the National Graphic, I actually really enjoyed. National Geographic has always been one of the more influential magazines that I've enjoyed in the past so it was very interesting to see an example of their process. If the big leagues are using work flow efficiently, just the comparison of our workflow production methods is incredibly interesting in variation.
The final link, working with developer workflow, really brought out the more intense results and method. Although, I think that if each specific person sticks to their role then the method is possible successfully. I'm not for sure though, in my case, that I've actually been in a professional workflow method such as this one before.
Class:
ReplyDeleteAgain, Jennifer has found some great articles. Be sure to read the National Geographic case study entirely. The last link is a bit technical, but may point out some things you are not aware of. I am looking for some quality observations in your comments. Make sure you read and possibly respond to those who commented before you. Your post should be aimed at creating a discussion, not a list of seven posts that are all the same.
The first link (PCMag) was super simple and easy to understand. I liked the do/don't list at the bottom as it would make an excellent quick guide to creating workflow. The idea of screencaps is great to me because I read them quite easily; unless there is too many. The second link (Success Stories | MEI) had great information. The video was neat and definitely showed a great work flow in action. I think it's neat that even huge corporations like Nat Geo uses retreats as a tool to regroup and decide where to change things. The comment about everyone having their own way of doing things got me thinking: how do you make workflow production more sustainable with technology, resources (not to mention personal preferences) always evolving and changing? My answer after leaving it alone for awhile and returning to it was that if workflow has basics to it - then maybe replacement people can follow basics and add their own spins. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteAnd lastly, the Understanding Designer-Developer workflow got a little technical but I understood the roles people take in projects.Due to my lack of background in design - I can't decipher which role I take.
The pcmag link was simple and easy to read. I had never really contemplated keeping track of a workflow process. In retrospect it makes complete sense and it benefits yourself and other colleagues. It means you can adapt quickly if there is a sudden or drastic change in the workplaces's operations. Not only that but keeping a record of work processes can benefit you if ever you were subject to wrongful dismissal. I'm no expert but that is what I've heard.
ReplyDeleteThe second link about National Geographic changing its whole workflow process onto a central network instead of paper must have been alarming to some employees at first.However it was actually reassuring to me personally that they needed time to adjust and learn the software and outsource Technology for Publishing to point them in the right direction. In response to Carly I agree that at the end of the day times are constantly changing and so perhaps the best way to adapt is to follow the processes of past workflows and add your own personal take on it. Alternatively you could research the most up to date workflows that people have in their respective job processes outside of your workplace's documents and therefore save you from having to discover quicker or more efficient ways to get through a working process on your own.
The Understanding Designer-Developer Workflow article was interesting. I never knew there were so many different workflow patterns. All I can say is that I guess we will find out during the course of the semester what the class workflow will be categorised under. Although I think the fact that we have dropbox has significantly helped the efficiency of our class and will be a key player in the integration of a productive workflow that will help every students work have a positive impact on the final product.
Ben Mack
ReplyDeleteI thought this article was very beneficial to the class because many of us are going to graduate in May and embark on our future careers. If your like me, I have never had a job in an office so knowing what to do when your out of stuff to do will help get me acculmated to a new job/experience. I wish I would of kept a little journal of how to do some of the things I have learned in my classes at WU, so when I need to remember how to do the things I learned for my future employer ill be prepared. THe only thing I didnt like about he article was that, if you give it to the IT department or the person above you to give the other newer employers, I think it would make you feel like your a know it all, because they have their way of doing things and your new, trying to change their system.
I loved the "Get Organized: Document Your Workflow" article! It's a fantastic concept that I hadn't ever considered before. It's one of those ideas that might seem daunting at first, but would be very beneficial in the long run. I might be more drawn to enjoying my "free time" during the early stages of work while it lasts, but this is a much more productive alternative. I think the suggestion of separating it out into several different documents is a GREAT tip. With something like this, it's good to be as organized as possible! It reminds me a little of a project I'm currently working on. I'm creating a Crisis Management Plan for Semester at Sea. Although it isn't exactly the same, the final product will include many (I'm thinking about 20) separate documents with policies and procedures relating to crisis management. The example given in the article reminds me of the "First Action Steps" document I just completed earlier this weekend. I definitely won't be putting all of this work in it and keep it for myself. As the article suggests to do with documented workflow, I hope to send it to the Institute for Shipboard Education offices in Virginia. I've had several conversations with members of their crisis team as I've been working on this. Anyway, I know it's not exactly the same! But it reminded me of that project. I thought the tip to not include clip art was humorous, but true. In this kind of a document it would be kind of unprofessional, although you may think it would make it appear more visually appealing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the study on National Geographic. I've always kind of dreamed of working there so it was interesting to read about their process. (I would've never guess that they used to have a typical production workflow of 15 weeks!) I think it would be extremely beneficial for all companies to do this kind of an analysis of their own workflow. I think we often, myself included, get comfortable and used to doing things one way and don't realize that we could potentially save time, energy, and resources by making some changes. The results of the process for National Geographic were amazing! If all knew they could speed up output processes, reduce costs, and improve communication between departments I think more would be willing to re-evaluate their workflow!
Regarding the last article, the fully-integrated workflow is obviously the most desired. However, it also seems the most difficult to achieve. In my own experiences, I think I've seen the jack-of-all-trades and over-the-wall workflow techniques used more frequently. I can't say for certain that I've ever really had a professional fully-integrated workflow experience.
I really appreciated these links, Jennifer. The first link I found to be very beneficial and easily understood little guide in understanding workflow. The second link, success stories from the National Graphic, I actually really enjoyed. National Geographic has always been one of the more influential magazines that I've enjoyed in the past so it was very interesting to see an example of their process. If the big leagues are using work flow efficiently, just the comparison of our workflow production methods is incredibly interesting in variation.
ReplyDeleteThe final link, working with developer workflow, really brought out the more intense results and method. Although, I think that if each specific person sticks to their role then the method is possible successfully. I'm not for sure though, in my case, that I've actually been in a professional workflow method such as this one before.