August14
By: Alison Kerwin
Following a team vote we have decided to develop 'In Pictures'. This is something we launched in February this year to capture images of the University in the snow. This proved incredibly popular and we were inundated with photos to add to the site but our solution relied upon one of the team manually editing and uploading all the pictures which became very time intensive. Due to this we've haven't done one since.
Our project is to develop this concept so that people can upload pictures directly. We aim to make the site much more user orientated. We will moderate images but we'll let the users decide which they like the best. The aim is to capture more and more images of the University, events and experiences and to create more content for our website. As the saying goes... a picture can say a 1000 words.
How are we going to do it?
This morning we mapped out all the things we want our application to do and each of us committed to a series of tasks.
Our plan showing what we
Later we'll report back on our progress.
If you’re interested in what we’re doing keep and eye on this blog and follow us on Twitter.
Posted in: Communication, Events, Get Creative
August13
By: Alison Kerwin
Tomorrow we see the start of Get Creative 2009 - Web Services' annual project which will see us exploring different ways we can get work together and develop projects.
The concept was introduced last year after a signficant period of change for the team and resulted in us launching Flat Out, a Facebook app which helps our students find accommodation and housemates. Since then several of the concepts we trialled during the week have been introduced and now form a part of the way we work. We have seen some real benefits from the process (as well as delivering a nifty app)! From a management perspective we have developed working practices which have increased our output as well as learning more about each other; how we like to work, what helps motivate us etc.
So this year it is back... but in a slightly different form...
We are heavily into a project to re-develop the University website so rather than running Get Creative over a week we plan to run it over four consecutive Fridays, starting tomorrow.
I've also set some parameters. Like last year everyone has been given the opportunity to pitch in ideas but they have had to demonstrate that the idea will add value to the student experience AND it has to be something for our website.
If you're interested in what we're doing keep and eye on this blog and follow us on Twitter.
Posted in: Communication, Events, Get Creative
Two months ago we undertook the task of creating an application from concept to launch in a single week. During the aptly named Get Creative Week, the team designed, implemented and launched Flat Out, an application allowing University of Bath students to search for rooms and properties on Facebook.
The app hasn't had any attention from us since then, so how is it doing and is anyone actually using it?
According to the statistics there are currently 47 active users which was as high as 65 at the beginning of the month. An active user is someone who has used the app in the last 30 days, so the 65 covers the beginning of term in September. Whilst this isn't a huge number, it does show it is being used especially given that the app got no promotion, other than a link on the University's online notice board.
Can we just release an application and then move on to something else or do we need to support, maintain and promote it? I think it depends on the nature of the application and how worried we are about whether people are using it or not. The purpose of Get Creative Week was to investigate the creative process, so the use of the application wasn't as important. Although it is still nice to see that people are using it.
It is clear from the stats that new applications do get noticed by at least a few people but how many does it take before it becomes the popular, "must use" application we would like all our creations to be. Obviously, the more fun and useful it is the more likely people are to use it, and some people will seek out new things to help make their life / job easier. However, I think, as with any large community, to get everyone using it requires a lot more effort.
There are many different types of people each requiring a different approach to help them understand that your application is the one they need.
I think it would be nice to think an application would become popular on its own and we could just sit back and watch, but in reality it isn't that simple.
Posted in: Development, Get Creative, Tools
August22
By: Alison Kerwin
5 days, 9 people, Fika, stress, fun and FLAT OUT!
We've made it.
After a frantic week we have reached our goal and launched an application which will allow University of Bath students to search for rooms and properties on Facebook: Flat Out.
It's been an excellent week. We've learnt a great deal and we've kick started what we hope will be an exciting experiment.
Can a University just create an app in Facebook (without having alternatives elsewhere)? Is it sometimes useful to throw out the rule book and create something quickly and simply?
Well we've put the app out there - so now we wait and see...
Posted in: Get Creative
Yvonne, posing as an intrepid reporter, notebook in hand, walked all the way over to Tom T's desk to ask him about his experience of the week. Tom T has been managing the Flat Out project.
YA: So, Tom, what has been the most enjoyable thing about the week so far from your perspective?
TT: Well, apart from Fika... for me it was working with the whole team and having more interaction with everyone than usual.
YA: What has been the most frustrating thing fo you?
TT: My PC crashing several times a day on most days, and Facebook being slow.
YA: What have you learnt?
TT: I've learnt a huge amount - where do I start? Well, I've learnt the importance of communicating with people so as to ensure that there is mutual understanding. I've learnt that project management is hard. But working on a project with the whole team is a brilliant experience.
YA: Would you do it again?
TT: Yes - in a heartbeat.
YA: And how was it at the lonely pinnacle of command?
TT: It was a really good experience, not lonely at all, because I've had a great team of people around me.
YA: Aww, thanks Tom!
Posted in: Get Creative, Team
August21
By: Alison Kerwin
It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of Get Creative. The week has gone incredibly fast as we've worked Flat Out on the project (c'mon someone had to say it!).
We now have an application working in Facebook and it's looking pretty good.
As a Manager it's been great to see the team throwing themselves into something new. It's been fun, frustrating, enlightening and exhausting but everyone has given it 100% and it's been very rewarding.
Throughtout the week though a number of people have asked how I can justify using an entire week on a project such as this so I thought I'd share my thoughts:
I have learnt more about my team in the last four days than I had in the last seven months...
- Most of the team like to throw themselves into something new. Others prefer the familiar.
- Democratic decisions are hard to reach in such a diverse team. It is often easier to just make executive ones.
- Trying to enforce the same rules (i.e. no flexi-time, lunch at the same time and being more social) is not for everyone. You have to have a flexible approach.
- In some areas we work together really well.
- In others we don't.
I believe (and hope!) I understand individuals more because I've had an opportunity to see how they work and how they have reacted to this project. I have seen what makes them tick and gets them enthused and also what doesn't. All of which is extremely valuable.
One size doesn't fit all for a team and it's good to remind yourself of that.
Taking time out from the day to day has been extremely beneficial for all of us. Whether we've loved it or hated it we have tried something different and learnt something about ourselves and the way we operate.
I'm confident when we have our de-brief... there will be lots of food for thought and hopefully I have a happier, more motivated and inspired team as a result.
Posted in: Get Creative, Team
