Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Agile................

 


People everywhere dismissing the role of a 'Project Manager'. Not only have I seen posts about it but even attended an event discussing Agile, where it was said you aren't 'Agile' if you have Project Managers in place... Why? Because it doesn't fit in an 'agile' box (depending on the agile-based methodology) you are choosing.

In the realm of agile-based methodologies, the presence of project managers (in title) might seem like an anomaly. After all, agile promotes self-organizing teams and emphasizes collaboration over hierarchy, with the rise of roles like Scrum Master, Product Owner and so on.

However, the reality is that the skills and capabilities traditionally associated with project managers are still incredibly valuable in agile environments, even if the role title disappears or evolves.

Consider some of the most popular agile-based methodologies:

1. Scrum: While Scrum doesn't have a traditional project manager role, the Scrum Master serves a similar function. They facilitate the Scrum process, remove impediments, and ensure the team stays on track. In essence, they embody many aspects (not necessarily all) of project management, albeit under a different name.

2. Kanban: Although Kanban doesn't explicitly designate a project manager role, organizations often appoint a Kanban Manager or Flow Manager. These individuals oversee the Kanban process, optimize workflow, and address any bottlenecks that may arise. Their responsibilities closely align with those of a project manager, despite the absence of the title.

3. Extreme Programming (XP): XP embraces the role of a Coach or XP Manager. Like a project manager, they provide guidance, facilitate communication, and remove obstacles to the team's progress. Their focus on supporting the team's effectiveness echoes the core responsibilities of a project manager.

4. Lean Startup: In Lean Startup methodologies, the Product Manager or Product Owner plays a pivotal role in guiding the development and delivery of products or services. They manage stakeholders, prioritize features based on customer feedback, and oversee the project's direction—functions reminiscent of traditional project management.

While the titles may vary across agile-based methodologies, the essence remains the same: individuals fulfilling roles akin to project managers are integral to the success of agile projects. The expertise in planning, coordination, communication, and problem-solving that project managers bring to the table is invaluable in navigating the complexities of agile environments.

The adoption of agile-based methodologies doesn't negate the need for project management skills; rather, it reshapes and redistributes them across different roles. Whether it's facilitating teamwork, optimizing processes, or ensuring project success, the influence of project management endures in an agile landscape, proving its relevance in an ever-evolving professional landscape. Even if under a different name. Let's be adaptive!

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Structural Governance

 

The personal practice tells that Governance requires structural framework; which would fill the knowledge gaps and allow for healthy coordination and build up among all components with reference to theoretical and applied scientific facts.

The above famous image will tells a lot about the urban governance, which had ignored risks for touristic and commercial feasibilities.. Does it worth??


Referrals tell:

Governance refers to the processes and structures through which an organization or a system is directed, controlled, and administered. It involves defining the rules, policies, and decision-making mechanisms that guide the behavior of individuals or entities within that system. Governance is not limited to government bodies; it applies to various entities, including corporations, non-profit organizations, and communities.

Key aspects of governance include:

  1. Decision-making: Establishing processes for making decisions, setting priorities, and allocating resources.

  2. Accountability: Ensuring that individuals or entities are responsible for their actions and that there are mechanisms in place to assess and enforce accountability.

  3. Transparency: Providing clear and accessible information about decisions, processes, and performance to stakeholders.

  4. Rule of Law: Adhering to established laws, regulations, and ethical principles to ensure fairness and justice.

  5. Participation: Involving relevant stakeholders in the decision-making process to promote inclusivity and diverse perspectives.

  6. Responsiveness: The ability of the governing body to adapt and respond to changing circumstances and stakeholder needs.

Governance can be applied at various levels, including corporate governance, public governance, global governance, and more. It plays a crucial role in maintaining stability, managing risks, and fostering trust within an organization or a broader system. Effective governance contributes to the overall success, sustainability, and ethical conduct of the entity it governs.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

مصفوفة المهارات Skills Matrix

 

مصفوفة المهارات Skills Matrix
أظهرت دراسة أجرتها شركة McKinsey أن 87٪ من المديرين التنفيذيين قالوا إنهم يعانون من فجوات في المهارات داخل قوتهم العاملة ، وأن 60٪ منهم قالوا إن هذه الفجوات تؤثر سلبًا على إنتاجيتهم.
وتأتي المهارات أحد الأركان الأربعة المطلوب توافرها لكفاءة العمل بمجال الإدارة وهي :
1-   Knowledge المعرفة
2-  Experience الخبرة
3-  Tools and Techniques الأدوات والتقنيات
4-  Skills المهارات
تعد مصفوفة المهارات Skill Matrix من أهم الأدوات التي تستخدم لتقييم مهارات فريق العمل لتقليل هذه الفجوات والتأكد من أن لدى الموظفين المهارات اللازمة لأداء وظائفهم على أعلى مستوى.
* النظريات المتعلقة بمصفوفة المهارات
- نظرية السوق: وفقا لهذه النظرية، تتغير مصفوفة المهارات بناءً على احتياجات السوق والصناعة.
- نظرية المصفوفة الحديثة: وفقا لهذه النظرية، تركز مصفوفة المهارات على المهارات الحديثة والمتعلقة بالتكنولوجيا والابتكار.
- نظرية المهارات الثابتة: وفقا لهذه النظرية، يتم تحديد مصفوفة المهارات بناءً على المهارات الثابتة والمستمرة طوال الحياة المهنية للموظفين.
* تنفيذ مصفوفة المهارات
- تعريف المهارات المطلوبة: قم بإنشاء قاعدة بيانات للمهارات واستخرج قائمة بالمهارات المطلوبة للمنصب أو القسم أو المشروع.
- إنشاء نظام تقييم: حدد كيفية تقييم المهارات
- تقييم مهارات الموظفين: استخدم التقييم الذاتي أو تقييم المدير أو تقييم الفريق أو العميل أو تقييم المهارات أو الشهادة لتقييم مهارات الموظفين
- تحديد تهديد فقدان المهارات الفعال: حدد المهارات الحرجة للمنظمة وتصور التهديد من فقدان تلك المهارات سيساعد هذا على تحديد أولويات التدريب والتطوير وضمان أن المنظمة مستعدة لأي فجوات مهارية محتملة.
* أمثلة عملية
تستخدم شركة أمازون مصفوفة المهارات لتتبع مهارات موظفيها وتحديد المجالات التي تحتاج إلى تحسين. يستخدمون البيانات التي تم جمعها من مصفوفة المهارات لتصميم برامج تدريبية تساعد الموظفين على تطوير المهارات والمعرفة اللازمة للنجاح في وظائفهم. نتيجة لذلك ، لديهم واحدة من أكثر القوى العاملة المهارية في العالم ، مع التركيز على المهارات الرقمية وخدمة العملاء.
* مستويات الكفاءة
المستوى 0: غير مدرب بالكامل.
المستوى 1: "المبتدئ" أو "المتدرب" أو "المتعلم".
المستوى 2: يشار إليه عادة باسم "الممارس"، أو ببساطة "المدربين".
المستوى 3: هذا هو المستوى الأقل تحديدًا من حيث الاسم. لقد سمعت أنه يشار إليه باسم "المطور" .
المستوى 4: "المدرب"، "المعلم"، "الموجه".


Thursday, January 25, 2024

8 Principles to Better Sidewalks

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wricidades/24311855900/in/album-72157663425728991/

If done right, better sidewalks can lead to people-friendly streets and cities. Photo by Mariana Gil/WRI Brasil

       

Walking is the oldest, most democratic way to get around. But as urban areas have become more sprawled, walking has slowly been suffocated by other modes of transport that are less healthy for both people and cities. Wide, congested roads have taken precedence over pedestrian sidewalks, crossings and public spaces. Too often, the pedestrian areas that do exist are poorly constructed and maintained.

WRI’s The 8 Principles of Sidewalks, now available in English, makes the case for shifting back to pedestrian-friendly streets. More people walking means fewer people depending on motor vehicles to get around, reducing transport emissions and strengthening individual health. A higher number of pedestrians also creates safer streets and brings more commerce to shopfronts. More broadly, walkable and people-centered public spaces enliven neighborhoods and foster positive urban coexistence.

While 8 Principles of Sidewalks was originally published in Portuguese by WRI Brasil, the issues it addresses around people-friendly public spaces are relevant to cities across the globe. The report is more than a technical guide for constructing safe, accessible and inviting sidewalks. It’s intended to inspire cities toward collaborative urban transformation – to show what’s possible when stakeholders work together under shared principles to reinvent an aspect of the city used by everyone and achieve higher quality of life for all.

These eight interconnected principles highlight the key elements to consider when designing city sidewalks and how they help promote more active, more livable cities:

1. Proper Sizing

Elements:

  • Sidewalk furnishing zone
  • Sidewalk pedestrian zone
  • Sidewalk frontage zone

Result: Provides enough space for people to use the sidewalk in a variety of ways: to walk, to socialize, to access buildings, etc.

A sidewalk’s furnishing zone, next to the street, can include urban furniture like benches and trees. The pedestrian zone, where people actually walk, should have no obstacles. The frontage zone often accommodates the furniture of commercial establishments and allows people to linger in front of buildings without disrupting the flow of those walking in the pedestrian zone.

2. Universal Accessibility

Elements:

  • Curb ramps
  • Tactile surfaces
  • Low-angle running slope

Result: Allows everyone access to an urban space.

The public sidewalk should be accessible to all, including wheelchair users, pregnant women, the elderly and others with special mobility needs. A sidewalk that is intuitive and easy to use incorporates curb ramps, tactile surfaces to help people with impaired vision, and a consistent running slope – or the slope of the sidewalk in the direction people walk – that isn’t too steep.

3. Safe Connections

Elements:

  • Safe and accessible crosswalks, street corners, stairs, public transport stops and other urban spaces

Result: Ensures safe, continuous walking links to other means of transport.

Pedestrians walk on more than just sidewalks, and they often use multiple modes of transport. A city’s walking network should integrate safe, accessible connections among different urban spaces like intersections, alleys, stairs and public transport stations. This includes implementing safe street design principles, like shorter blocks and crosswalks, raised crossings, and traffic lights timed to pedestrians’ average walking speed. Sidewalks around transit hubs should also have enough space to avoid creating crowds and allow access for pedestrians with special mobility needs.

4. Clear Signage

Elements:

  • Informative maps and signs
  • Pedestrian traffic signals at intersections

Result: Promotes communication between people and the urban space.

Just like drivers of motorized vehicles, pedestrians need clear information so that they can both orient themselves in the city and understand the rules of particular sidewalks. Pedestrian-focused signage systems – including crossing lights, maps, walking times and directions to places of interest, and facts about the neighborhood or community – should be consistent, easy to find, and designed for people of all knowledge levels and skills.

5. Attractive Spaces

Elements:

  • Vegetation
  • Urban furniture

Result: Provides an environment where people feel comfortable and encouraged to use the space.

Sidewalks can play a crucial role in making the urban experience more enjoyable and inspiring. The positioning and type of trees and urban furniture – from garbage bins to benches – can affect the ambiance and utility of a space. Vibrant, inviting sidewalks can also facilitate social interaction, further encouraging use of public spaces.

6. Security

Elements:

  • Public lighting at the pedestrian scale
  • Active frontages

Result: Invites people to occupy urban spaces more regularly and improves security.

Day or night, weekday or weekend, sidewalks are always open. However, there are fewer people out on foot during certain times of the day and week, leading to fluctuating safety conditions. Public lighting of pedestrian spaces improves personal safety at night. Active and transparent ground floor building frontages encourage more eyes on the street and more pedestrian activity at all times of day, making sidewalks more lively and secure.

7. Quality Surfaces

Elements:

  • Combination of stable, slip- and flood-resistant materials based on site needs

Result: Confers both comfort and safety while walking.

The material used to construct sidewalks needs to be consistent, stable, slip-resistant and designed to facilitate drainage. To build a well-functioning sidewalk, designers should select a combination of high-quality materials – including site-cast or porous concrete, cement tiles and others – based on the site’s needs.

8. Efficient Drainage

Elements:

  • Cross slope at appropriate angle
  • Rain garden

Result: Fosters sidewalk resilience.

Waterlogged sidewalks can exacerbate urban flooding and property damage, and they quickly become useless to pedestrians, who end up diverting their routes through car-filled roads and risking their safety. The angle of a sidewalk’s cross slope – perpendicular to the running slope – should ensure efficient drainage without being too steep. Green infrastructure techniques like rain gardens can also help by reducing the volume of runoff and taking pressure off the drainage system.

Livable sidewalks following these principles can now be found in many cities in Brazil and around the world where city leaders have decided to move toward people-centered public spaces. Enhancing the quality of sidewalks is about prioritizing infrastructure for people instead of cars, giving the many ways we use the sidewalk the attention it deserves.

Download The 8 Principles of Sidewalks for more.

A version of this blog was originally published on WRI Brasil. 

Hillary Smith is the Communications Assistant at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Paula Manoela dos Santos is the Active Mobility Manager at WRI Brasil.

8 Principles to Better Sidewalks | TheCityFix


Monday, January 22, 2024

The 5-minute neighborhood

15-minute city diagram by DPZ CoDESIGN

The 5-minute neighborhood, 15-minute city, and 20-minute suburb

The reality of suburban distances to retail and community amenities has inspired a new term: the “20-minute suburb.” The concept is an evolution of the 15-minute city, focusing on transportation, zoning, and strategic densification.

Note: This article was written for the website of DPZ CoDESIGN.

That measurement of time in which someone is more likely to walk or bike rather than drive a car to an errand has been the subject of much discussion among urbanists. Thirty years ago, the New Urbanism first proposed a neighborhood of a quarter-mile radius. The five-minute walk “pedestrian shed” became the basis for an alternative to suburban sprawl by proposing a walkable scale (120-160 acres) for building or rebuilding community and a sense of place. More recently, the “15-minute city” has received much attention, and it has given the concept of sustainable community design renewed vigor. It reinforces the importance of improved access within existing urbanism. New urbanists have participated in the discussion, identifying the need to define the mode of mobility; fifteen minutes by car will take you to a destination five or more miles away; a 15-minute walk will cover ¾ of a mile – still a reasonable walk to a school, train station, or even shopping.

At either the 5- or 15-minute scale, the guiding principle of a walkable, diverse urban environment remains a guidepost for amenable, sustainable, and resilient communities. The pandemic experience showed us that walkable proximity is more desirable than ever. As stay-at-home work became increasingly common, the surrounding context took on a new importance. In walkable neighborhoods, retail thrived. The walking and biking that prevailed during the lockdown boosted outdoor activity and a sense of community by being on foot.

But what about the still-sprawling suburbs? Should their residents be excluded from the enjoyment and advantages of walking to destinations? Recently, the reality of suburban distances to retail and community amenities has inspired a new term: the “20-minute suburb.” The concept is an evolution of the 15-minute city, focusing on transportation reform, zoning reform, and strategic residential and commercial densification. New Urbanism “sprawl repair” projects acknowledge that the single-family residence, so prevalent in the built environment, and so important to American society, can be maintained and refocused by mixed-use, walkable redevelopment of commercial sites.

Diagram from the Sprawl Repair Manual by Galina Tachieva

For many suburban communities reliant on automobiles, it will take time to accept a shift toward the possibility of walking, biking, and public transit, and to the advantages of some changes to the built reality. Transportation reform, in particular, remains a continuing challenge. Public transit is a key element: its efficiency requires focused destinations and supportive residential density, as well as an emphasis on all modes of mobility, with complete streets, last-mile service, bike lanes and paths, and pedestrian passages.

Many suburban malls, office parks, and strip centers are coming to the end of their investment life and are being re-imagined as mixed-use nodes for surrounding communities. However, where ambitious retrofits are not likely in the short term, much can be done with small-scale infill and strategic improvements to enhance the pedestrian experience. Envisioning more direct pedestrian paths to destinations can encourage walking, as can adding sidewalks to streets that have none, trees to shade the walk or the bike ride, and crosswalks for pedestrian safety. Other improvements, such as making new pedestrian paths through subdivision cul-de-sacs, may require a property purchase, and making the trajectory as convenient as possible may require opening a pedestrian passage from one walled community to another.

New urbanists are dedicated to designing beautiful and diverse environments that support pedestrian-friendly community life. Bringing to suburban locations a new walkable mixed-use focus for existing residents is an important component of our work.