Different parts of the bike
Tuesday 30 April 2013
Monday 29 April 2013
Review on Group Presentation: Intellectual Property (Group 2: GeriAmbience)
The second group presented on the same topic, Intellectual Property (IP) was GeriAmbience. Similar to the first group, the team provided basic information on IP, explained the definition of IP, described the types of IP and answering why consider IP. The team has elaborated on their points and it was clear that the members have prepared their individual parts well.
The overall oral presentation was quite engaging and managed to connect and capture the attention of the audience. The team was able to engage with the audience that made the presentation more interesting compared to the first group. The members expanded their points from the slides they have and I thought that was good because I was not distracted by the words on the screen.
The written presentation was done using PowerPoint slides. It was simple and neat. The topic and subtopics were presented in short point forms and that was really good to have a short point form and elaborate on in. However, at the visual aspect, the colour scheme does not really go well, they had a dark blue background with orange colored heading and white colored text. I think the team could have used a different colour scheme instead of the one they used.
In terms of distinctiveness and specificity of examples, I thought the group did well because they always refer back to their project and mentioned the group usage of IP; they are usingCryEngine3, Microsoft Kinect for Windows, Arduino which I thought was relevant and have provided connection between their project and the topic they were presenting on.
The context was informative however at some parts the elaboration and details were not clearly delivered. I do find some parts helpful for example the 4 steps to obtain permission, IP that does not require permission to use and IP for example copyright, trademarks and circuit layout and IP that needs permission to use it such as patents and designs. The one thing that I have noticed throughout the presentation was no images were provided to support their statement or to make the presentation slides visually appealing thus no references were used because they did not use images in their presentation.
Review on Group Presentation: Intellectual Property (Group 1: Interactive Architecture)
The presentation by Interactive Architecture presented on the topic, Intellectual Property (IP). The content of IP were informative and relevant, covering general information regarding IP for example, what is IP and why is it important. The team managed to provide basic and straightforward answers to what IP is and gave the audience an understanding of the topic.
The information given was concise and simple enough to help audience understand the topic better. The slides were simple and nice containing just enough words to grasp what the speaker is talking about. However, the overall oral presentation was not very engaging and does not really have an interaction between the speaker and the audience that made the presentation a bit dull. The way the presenters speak was a bit unclear and at some point I just could not follow up with what they are talking about. Some parts during the presentation seem to be made up on the spot and not well thought out.
The team has provided some good examples and related information such as the news about Samsung copying or using the idea of Apple and got sued by Apple. I thought that was quite interesting to bring in some real-life issue. It would be better if they had related it back to what their project is all about and how does IP affect their project or how the knowledge of IP affected the way they do their project. The team should have provided and constantly relate the examples given back to their project instead of giving general examples. The level of specificity should be higher. In terms of referencing and images, during the presentation, the references could not be seen but the members of the team said that the screen has blocked it out and that they referenced their images.
An interesting part of the presentation that I recalled was the team providing example of Patent protection and they showed us SKOONA MOOVA (a drink carrier) which I thought was good as they have an object that supports one of the types of IP. And by ending their presentation with physical model is good because it draws back the attention of the audience. I think that this group’s presentation skills could be improved by being confident in speech to allow audience to be convinced by the content and examples they have provided.
Renewed Version of presentation content (Week 7 Progress)
Individual Part
Communication platforms
Social media is a very powerful source of communication for our team, Shades of Black. We use Wiki, Facebook and Dropbox to interact with each other all the time and that works for us because everyone has access to the internet most of the time and thus that helps us to stay connected and updated with the everyone’s progress. Almost everyday, we go on Facebook to discuss about the project, what needs to be done and by when it needs to be done.
As for the Wiki, the discussions and information are written in a more academic and formal way because the Wiki page is viewed not only among the members but public in general so the Wiki has information that is understandable and more has more details. The Wiki and Facebook works great as a communication tool in written form, however, we need a folder that enables us to share our drawings, files and other important documents and we are using Dropbox for that. The group has a group Dropbox which allows members to share important files and documents. The benefit of Dropbox and the purpose of shared document it is a way of us helping each other out, checking and correcting each other’s file that can be very helpful.
External Communication
Shades of Black tries to reach out to a broader community through Wiki and Youtube. Wiki is a great way to make our project known to others as it contains information of the project in an understandable and readable form. At the mean time, it is not editable by the public because the project is still in process, however we will make it editable and accessible in the future. Youtube is another source that is able to market our project as people in general watches Youtube and we put up our progress, GoPro videos and other related videos on our Youtube site so that people who are interested can look up and comment on the videos which in a way providing feedback to us.
We have actually considered creating a Facebook page and a website but after deep consideration we decided not to go forward with them because not all targeted audiences uses Facebook and if we do set up a Facebook page it would be too confusing as we would still have to link it back to Wiki which deceives the purpose of having a Facebook page. The website plan failed also because we already have a Wiki, so there is just no reason to create a website when people can just go on our Wiki which serves and functions like a website.
Thursday 25 April 2013
Week 7 Progress
This week, we have to continue modelling and write a renewed version of the presentation we have on Monday, our communication presentation.
The images shows some completed items I've done.
Monday 15 April 2013
Review on Group Presentation: Planning
This week we will be starting on presentations on the themes of collaboration- planning, communication, intellectual property, conflict and remuneration. The first group presented was 3RDiConstruct and they presented on the topic- planning. Among all the other topics, planning appears to be the most relevant to their project.
In terms of content, what I got out of these were informative but for me it was wide-ranging content and information overload which can be a bit too much for a presentation as it could be difficult to remember the entire presentation. The information I picked up from the presentation was generally about planning a project or a task and the importance of planning in the first phase of any project and that we should start off by planning to set a baseline or a direction that a project would head towards.
For the overall oral presentation, the team was organized in terms of the roles, for example who goes first and who goes next, to explain the different topics related to what they are doing for their project. However, I think that it would be better for the members to stand up and present during the presentation instead of sitting infront and staring ta the computer screen most of the time and reading from the slides or the notes they have in hand. The written form was good, it contains a lot of information but as a presentation there were too many words and it was obvious that the members were reading directly from the slides because all the explanation and elaborations were on the slides.
On the plus side, the team delivered the context very well, much information was provided and each member clearly understood what he or she was talking about and what he or she was presenting. There were a few things that did not meet the requirement though. They have shown a few examples like image of the building model, using a pyramid to describe the hierarchy unfortunately, no referencing were made. There wasn't any sort of image that illustrated or made the presentation more appealing for the audience.
The team can improve by standing while presenting, as that will show no distance with the audience and shows interaction with them rather than speaking at them. Another suggestion would be cutting down on the words for the slides and focus on key information that they really want deliver to the audience so that the audience will be able to remember the key points after the presentation.
Week 6 Progress Work- Presentation Content for Week 7
Communication
For effective communication in a group project environment there are certain factors which need to be considered, including platforms, resources, HR, skills, roles, limitations, longevity etc in order to create an effective work environment and successful result.
Communication Strategies
In a typical hierarchical working relationships there are defined and independent communication paths between a leadership role and worker. For a collaborative environment it is essential to implement a cross-communicational team strategy. Within-team communication provides members with information about what their teammates are working on and where they are up to in the project development. When decisions and outcomes depend on the integration of different team member contributions it is important to be familiar with the tasks of fellow team mates to ensure a collaborative and comprehensive end result. This is particularly important for small teams or teams working with constantly changing environments or poorly defined outcomes (Fussell, S. 1998); something in which our group faces with roles and responsibilities continually being assessed and redefined throughout the project. It is therefore even more essential for us to focus on communicating directly to one another and include all participants in communication processes in order to achieve a successful outcome. Our group has achieved this style of communication by having many face-to-face meetings and setting up group communication platforms such as Facebook and Dropbox.
This type of group communication leads to increased passive awareness. "Passive awareness of what other team members are doing, provided by indirect participation in a communicative exchange...should enable a team member to better coordinate his/her activities with the rest of the team." (Fussell, S. 1998, p2) - Though this inter-team awareness is an important when dealing with a project such as ours it can also result in information overload; passive awareness consumes more of each individuals time and indirectly adds to an individual's work load. We face this problem on our Facebook group, were some posts are irrelevant to certain team members (e.g. querying measurements on a particular part of the bike that you are not working on). Using this type of team communication strategy lends to the group spending a lot of time on discussing ideas, concepts and solutions than actually implementing them.
Platforms
There are many methods of communication but for the context of our project we are looking at written communication, oral communication, face-to face and communication through media.
The benefits of written form is that as a team we have a physical record and reference of everything that was mentioned during discussion, these record also serve as evidence to avoid miscommunication or arguments amongst members in the future. Written communication can also avoid mistakes which can be made in interpreting other forms of communication (e.g. verbal)as it is a clearly defined communication medium.
Oral communication methods are also essential for teamwork, as members can provide and respond to each other’s feedback quickly and the issues and conflicts that occurred throughout the process of the project can be resolved through talking. Oral communication encourages flexibility as the method we have chosen to manage our team is one of Agile Development and therefore being able to communicate verbally helps us to understand each other’s idea's with greater understanding.
A face-to-face communication method directly corresponds with oral communication. This method is the most effective medium and has the greatest ability to communicate convince. Externally, face-to-face communication offers the opportunity to engage with our targeted audiences, creating a two-way relationship that enables the ability for audiences to respond.
Goodlife Evolution of Communication 2009 [online], Available from: http://www.goodlifeteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/evolution-of-communication.jpg [Accessed: 18.4.2013]
Perhaps the most powerful source of communication is social media; a form of networking which has the ability to reach the mass market with only a minimal input. The media world is limitless and is vitally important to our project as there is such dispersed target audience (Bikers & CAM enthusiasts). Social media offers the opportunity for anyone to comment, edit and embellish on our resources, enabling open dialogue and interaction between project and audiences.
GDNet Structuring your research 2013 [online], Available from: https://depot.gdnet.org/cms/gallery//27-iStock_000005622581Medium.jpg [Accessed: 18.4.2013]
Responsibilities
Design teams commonly include members from different design disciplines that must integrate their individual specialised knowledge in order to effectively and efficiently produce professional design solutions. Communication, including the integration of inter disciplinary specialised knowledge, has developed into a fundamental aspect of the collaboration design process. Individual team members have specific roles and responsibilities in ensuring that the communication process remains fluent and allows for the exchange of information and conflict resolution.
Leadership Responsibilities
Team leaders represent a significant component in the team design and communication process. The ability of the team leaders to communicate the direction and the organisational structure of the design team is vital to the success of the collaboration process. Design teams are increasingly required to work collaboratively in complex and dynamic environments which force them to constantly develop new team organisational structures and communication strategies. Team Leaders need to be able to adapt their communicational strategies to overcome challenges and obstacles in these dynamic team environments. The team leader’s main responsibilities during the team communication process include the communication of team goals, direction and culture, communicating project requirements and time schedules through division of individual tasks for completion and advising each team member of new decisions and resolving any issues arising from a communication breakdown.
Team Member Responsibilities
Team members need to be able to integrate their individual roles and responsibilities for the collective success of the design collaborative team. A common cause of failure for design teams is the inability to communicate the coordination of individual team member contributions to the given project. The roles and responsibilities of each team member will depend on a number of factors including the project requirements and their individual design discipline background. Although the main roles and responsibilities of each team member will differ from project to project. There are still a number of common responsibilities that are common to all projects which involve the team member having to communicate. These usually include the need for team members to communicate their individual knowledge, abilities and skills to both other team members and the team leadership, communicate constructive feedback on current team work and progress.
Wallpapers – 3D Business People, LORDOFDESIGN, viewed 17 April 2013, < http://lordofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Wallpapers-3D-Business-People.jpg>
Speaking Male, Speaking Female – Communicating into Another’s Listening, image, Friedman, Will, Mental Help.Net, viewed 17 April 2013, <http://www.mentalhelp.net/images/root/friedmantalk.jpg>
Communication Longevity
Communication plays a critical role in terms of keeping the project moving forward and the ongoing longevity of the project. Internal communication is vital as it allows team members to come together and keep them on target towards future goals within an allocated time frame. Without these small individual steps being taken, groups will struggle to finish their goal with higher quality work.
To keep work focussed on the target audience teams must have a way of communicating externally with their target market. Some people may do this face to face, others through oral communication or even through an online forum. Having this form of communication with a reliable external source allows groups to gain first-hand knowledge from within the market itself.
How to Use the Law of Attraction with Goal Setting, Bowen, D, viewed on the 19/04/13 <http://www.empowernetwork.com/dbowen/blog/how-to-use-the-law-of-attraction-with-goal-setting/>
Identifying Your Target Audience, Cordingley, D, viewed on the 19/04/13 <http://terrycordingley.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/day-2-identifying-your-target-audience.html>
Project Black is already looking beyond our group project, and how we can continue to develop our work for the future. As a group we have developed a wiki, whereby as both individuals and a team we are able to provide concise data to our target audience through the use of 3D models, analytical drawings and deconstruction videos. The space is a collection of data that provides not only the Honda CB750 community but also the motorcycle community as a whole, with a place to communicate, further their understanding or display jobs that are currently in progress or have been complete.
References
Fussell, S. Kraut, R. Lerch, J, et al. 1998, Coordination, overload and team performance: effects of team communication strategies , Human-Computer Interaction Institute Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh pp. 2-6.
Weinrab, E. 2011, 10 Communication Strategies to Engage Employees in Sustainability [online], Available from: http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/10/12/10-communication-strategies-engage-employees-sustainability [Accessed: 11.4.2013]
Acacio, V. 2012, The Benefits of Face-to-Face Communication [online], Available from: http://bluejeans.com/blog/benefits-face-to-face-meetings [Accessed: 11.4.2013]
Management Study Guide 2013, Written Communication- Meaning, Advantages and Disadvantages [online], Available from: http://www.managementstudyguide.com/written-communication.htm [Accessed: 18.4.2013]
Barrick, S, Stewart, G, 2000, ‘Team Structure and Performance: Assessing the Mediating Role of Intrateam Process and the Moderating Role of Task Type’, Academy of Management Journal, Vol 43, No. 2, pp. 135 – 148.
Sonnenwald, D, 1996, ‘Communication Roles that Support Collaboration during the Design Process’, Riso National Laboratory, Roskilde, Denmark, pp. 1 – 25.
Zaccaro, S, Riitman, A, Marks, M, 2001, ‘Team Leadership’, The Leadership Quarterly, Vol 12, pp. 451 – 483.
Katz, R, 1980, ‘The Influence of Group Longevity on Project Communication and Project Performance’, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 1(Mar., 1982), pp.81-104
Keller, R, 1982, ‘Predictors of the Performance of Project Groups in R & D Organizations’, The Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 29, No.4 (Dec., 1986), pp.715-726
Team leaders represent a significant component in the team design and communication process. The ability of the team leaders to communicate the direction and the organisational structure of the design team is vital to the success of the collaboration process. Design teams are increasingly required to work collaboratively in complex and dynamic environments which force them to constantly develop new team organisational structures and communication strategies. Team Leaders need to be able to adapt their communicational strategies to overcome challenges and obstacles in these dynamic team environments. The team leader’s main responsibilities during the team communication process include the communication of team goals, direction and culture, communicating project requirements and time schedules through division of individual tasks for completion and advising each team member of new decisions and resolving any issues arising from a communication breakdown.
Team Member Responsibilities
Team members need to be able to integrate their individual roles and responsibilities for the collective success of the design collaborative team. A common cause of failure for design teams is the inability to communicate the coordination of individual team member contributions to the given project. The roles and responsibilities of each team member will depend on a number of factors including the project requirements and their individual design discipline background. Although the main roles and responsibilities of each team member will differ from project to project. There are still a number of common responsibilities that are common to all projects which involve the team member having to communicate. These usually include the need for team members to communicate their individual knowledge, abilities and skills to both other team members and the team leadership, communicate constructive feedback on current team work and progress.
Wallpapers – 3D Business People, LORDOFDESIGN, viewed 17 April 2013, < http://lordofdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Wallpapers-3D-Business-People.jpg>
Speaking Male, Speaking Female – Communicating into Another’s Listening, image, Friedman, Will, Mental Help.Net, viewed 17 April 2013, <http://www.mentalhelp.net/images/root/friedmantalk.jpg>
Communication Longevity
Communication plays a critical role in terms of keeping the project moving forward and the ongoing longevity of the project. Internal communication is vital as it allows team members to come together and keep them on target towards future goals within an allocated time frame. Without these small individual steps being taken, groups will struggle to finish their goal with higher quality work.
To keep work focussed on the target audience teams must have a way of communicating externally with their target market. Some people may do this face to face, others through oral communication or even through an online forum. Having this form of communication with a reliable external source allows groups to gain first-hand knowledge from within the market itself.
How to Use the Law of Attraction with Goal Setting, Bowen, D, viewed on the 19/04/13 <http://www.empowernetwork.com/dbowen/blog/how-to-use-the-law-of-attraction-with-goal-setting/>
Identifying Your Target Audience, Cordingley, D, viewed on the 19/04/13 <http://terrycordingley.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/day-2-identifying-your-target-audience.html>
Project Black is already looking beyond our group project, and how we can continue to develop our work for the future. As a group we have developed a wiki, whereby as both individuals and a team we are able to provide concise data to our target audience through the use of 3D models, analytical drawings and deconstruction videos. The space is a collection of data that provides not only the Honda CB750 community but also the motorcycle community as a whole, with a place to communicate, further their understanding or display jobs that are currently in progress or have been complete.
References
Fussell, S. Kraut, R. Lerch, J, et al. 1998, Coordination, overload and team performance: effects of team communication strategies , Human-Computer Interaction Institute Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh pp. 2-6.
Weinrab, E. 2011, 10 Communication Strategies to Engage Employees in Sustainability [online], Available from: http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/10/12/10-communication-strategies-engage-employees-sustainability [Accessed: 11.4.2013]
Acacio, V. 2012, The Benefits of Face-to-Face Communication [online], Available from: http://bluejeans.com/blog/benefits-face-to-face-meetings [Accessed: 11.4.2013]
Management Study Guide 2013, Written Communication- Meaning, Advantages and Disadvantages [online], Available from: http://www.managementstudyguide.com/written-communication.htm [Accessed: 18.4.2013]
Barrick, S, Stewart, G, 2000, ‘Team Structure and Performance: Assessing the Mediating Role of Intrateam Process and the Moderating Role of Task Type’, Academy of Management Journal, Vol 43, No. 2, pp. 135 – 148.
Sonnenwald, D, 1996, ‘Communication Roles that Support Collaboration during the Design Process’, Riso National Laboratory, Roskilde, Denmark, pp. 1 – 25.
Zaccaro, S, Riitman, A, Marks, M, 2001, ‘Team Leadership’, The Leadership Quarterly, Vol 12, pp. 451 – 483.
Katz, R, 1980, ‘The Influence of Group Longevity on Project Communication and Project Performance’, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 1(Mar., 1982), pp.81-104
Keller, R, 1982, ‘Predictors of the Performance of Project Groups in R & D Organizations’, The Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 29, No.4 (Dec., 1986), pp.715-726
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