Using Action Research to Improve IT Processes

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Using Action Research to Improve IT Processes

• Dr. George Slentz
• Phillip Winder
• Joan Russo
• Richard Spotts

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Your First Questions?

• What is Action Research (AR)
• Examples of how AR can Improve IT Processes

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What is AR?

• AR is a Systematic Inquiry Process
• Produces practical outcomes (as perceived by the
  participants)
• Cyclic (Continuous improvement)
• Used to establish change

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What is AR?

• Is composed of Stakeholder(s)
• May be accomplished by a single person,
• or as a group or team functioning in a
  participatory or collaborative capacity
• May include Qualitative /Quantitative
  Methodologies

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What is AR?

• AR is Active vs. Passive
• Traditional subjects often become active
  participants
• Reflective

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What is AR?

• History
• The term Action Research was originally coined
  by by Kurt Lewin (Social Psychologist) in the
  1930 and further defined in the 1940
• Supported the socio-technical reorganization of
  work after World War II
• Then developed into three distinct strands of
  research

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What is AR?

• Current Theoretical Foundation for AR as viewed
  in Habermas model
• Empirical-analytic means to an end
• Hermeneutics prudent decision-making
• used to evaluate functional requirements,
  business case analysis, or process improvement
• Critical science - emancipating people

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AR and Information Systems

• Reality
• Gather Analyze information and develop a Plan
  of action
• Initiate the Action
• Observe and Analyze the outcome
• Reflect
• Start over from the point of the outcome..

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What is AR?

• An Iterative
• Process

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Three Examples of AR in use

• A Collection of Business and Functional
  Requirements Supporting a Call Monitoring
  Solution
• Improvement to the Communication Process
  supporting State of Delaware Information Security
  Officers
• Project Management Professional Development

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A Collection of Business and Functional
Requirements Supporting a Call Monitoring
Solution

• Presented by
• Phillip Winder

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• Introduction

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Project

• Call Monitoring Solution
• Feasibility
• Requirements
• RFP (Request for Proposal)
• Product

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Research Iterations

• Functional Knowledge
• Brain Storming
• Business Requirements
• Functional Requirements
• Request for Proposal (RFP)
• Vender List
• Selection

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Challenge

• Incorporate
• Time Management
• Buy In
• Team Participation

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Outcome

• Positive feedback
• Group participation
• Management Approval/Recognition

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Thank You
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Improvement to the Communication Process
supporting State of Delaware Information Security
Officers (ISO)

• By Joan Russo
• DTI
• State of Delaware

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Iterations or Steps

• Soliciting Recommendations
• Developing a survey
• Academic - Review
• Local - Review
• Distribution
• Analysis
• Next steps

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Summary of Results

• Based on the entire life cycle process of the
  survey from developing, reviewing, approving,
  distributing, results collection, and
  interpretation, it was a very involved process.

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Summary of Learning

• The distribution and collection of feedback from
  the survey must be organized and documented.
  Time constraints can be an issue in the use of a
  survey.
• Specific objectives were obtained from this
  survey as action items for the improvements of
  the review population.

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Summary of Learning (Cont.)

• Overall, the results showed a positive
  perspective on the group reviewed as a whole.
• The results of this action research project
  through action items are currently being reviewed
  and addressed for the improvements identified by
  the review populace.

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Conclusion

• This action research project showed that using
  action research for a specific group can trigger
  changes and improvements as noted by the review
  group.

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Thank You
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Project Management Professional Development

• Presented
• by
• Richard H. Spotts

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Project Management Professional

• Project management is the application of
  knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to
  project activities to meet project requirements.
  Project management is accomplished through the
  use of the processes such as initiating,
  planning, executing, controlling, and closing.

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Project Management Professional

• The project management professional is the
  person that management identifies as responsible
  and accountable for achieving project and
  contractual objectives within specified time,
  cost, resource, and quality constraints. The
  project management professional plans, directs,
  controls, and reports on the project.

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Project Management Professional

• Lives by five basic principles
• Focus on the situation, issue or behavior, not on
  the person
• Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of
  others
• Maintain constructive relationships
• Take the initiative to make things better
• Lead by example

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Action Research as professional development

• Useful in determining direction of professional
  development to fulfill individual goals (that may
  or may not have knowledge of the career field or
  topic)
• Useful in identifying key roles in becoming a
  Project manager
• Useful in providing an extensive look into
  situations or a goals

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Building Blocks

• My objective was to identify what areas that I
  needed, to fulfill my goal as becoming a project
  manager
• Development paths
• Interviewing skills
• Meeting key objectives in the Action Research
  process
• Presentation
• Accomplishment

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Advantages of action research in Project
Management

• can be used to investigate any issue of concern
• as a tool it is versatile and easy to use
• it promotes shared understandings and approaches
• actions are developed within, and for, a specific
  environment and so are more likely to succeed
• members of the Project Management community are
  more committed to actions that they themselves
  develop, share and monitor

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Advantages Cont.

• actions are refined and improved through the
  cycle of research
• change is owned and managed by the participants
• collaboration between peers builds trust and
  support
• it can start small and grow over time
• outside help and expertise can be invited in

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Learning Outcome

• From my interviews and research Ive learned it
  takes a lot of knowledge of the methodology to
  first pursue a career track like this one.
  Without the knowledge of this career you have no
  chance in success because of the extensive
  training and skills that are involved.

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Thank You
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Improving Information Systems through Action
Research

• Questions ???

• For additional information please contact
• Dr. George M. Slentz
• Wilmington College
• 302-295-1153
• George.m.slentz_at_wilmcoll.edu